Forum topic

2 posts / 0 new
Last post
PICC VAT rn
Removing PICC line

What is the correct policy to pull picc lines, should the patient be lying flat in bed or can they be up in the chair?

lynncrni
For all CVAD removal, the

For all CVAD removal, the patient should be positioned so that the catheter exit site is at or below the level of the heart. You need to assess where the actual PICC puncture site is in relation to the heart. As a general rule, I would prefer to have the patient lying down rather than sitting up. Even though an insertion site at or near the antecubital fossa should be below the heart, you can have some that are higher on the arm making the site above the heart. Error on the side of patient safety when it comes to prevention of air embolism. Lynn

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI

Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.

PO Box 10

Milner, GA 30257

Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com

Office Phone 770-358-7861

Log in or register to post comments