Forum topic

6 posts / 0 new
Last post
lisayrn
PICC tip in jugular

Here's the senario:

 

PICC inserted Monday tip in cavoatria junction.

Wednesday when rounding a student nurse tells me it is in the jugular but she was told it's okay to use.

Upon investigating I find the Interventional Radiologist told her (and actually dictated) the tip location and that it's okay to use except for TPN and Vanco.  What the???????????

Now I have to get into a "discussion" with the Intensivist regarding tip location and appropriatness of use.  Of course he wants to side with IR but I won't let it go.

An IR doc who thinks jugular tip location is okay??

Sorry...more of a vent than a post.

lynncrni
Stick to your position. This
Stick to your position. This position is not safe. Tip locations in the IJ can cause a benign gurgling sound or running stream - annoying to the patient when plain fluids are infusing. But when you are infusing medications and other fluids, there can be a retrograde perfusion of the intracranial venous sinuses leading to neurological complications. Also, this tip location can increase the risk of catheter-related vein thrombosis. I would flatly refuse to infuse anything through it until it is repositioned. I have been where you are and had physicians want to educate me about the direction of the blood flow and how what I was saying is not possible, but it is and it is in the literature. 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

lisayrn
Lisa Y., Team Leader IV Team

Lisa Y., Team Leader IV Team UPMC St. Margaret Pittsburgh

Thanks Lynn.  I did stick to my guns.  My question now is what to do about the Interventional Radiologist?  He is not approachable AT ALL.  Shall I write up an incident report?  Based on the AVA confernce and lectures on tip position I think he should be following some type of standards.

Lisa Y., RN, BSN University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Horizon IV Therapy

lynncrni
LIke Heather advised, go up
LIke Heather advised, go up the chain of command. Seek the advise of others in your organization such as Risk Management or Performance Improvement. Is there a medical QA officer in your facility? Get your data together, know the facts and what the research shows and go forward with your goal of safe patient care. 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

Heather Nichols
Lisa,   Chart well, and by

Lisa,

  Chart well, and by all means, right up an incident report.  I would also let the patient be aware of the complications that can arise from this tip position, if the patient is alert and oriented.  It is in their body, and they deserve to be allowed to make a decision in thier care.  If anything comes of it later, your position will be well stated and supported.  Is there a chain of command you could climb with this doc?  If he will not listen, take your proof, and go higer.  Not at least listening you and being open to discussion of the subject is plain out disrespect in my opinion. I feel your pain. Good luck.

 

Heather

gretchen
Just curious - - Any follow
Just curious - - Any follow up on this matter????
Log in or register to post comments