We use US/MST and a tracking device. We average 350+ PICCs/month and have placed tops 18/day with an average (depends on the census) of 8-15/d. Our team also works 12h rotating shifts. Although we have not done an official time study, I know that we are definitely more productive since using the tracking device. Cindy Hunchusky/Haris Methodist Hospital/PICC Team
OK, I have read the responses and have questions. We work solo also and use the Sherlock tip locator system.
Cindy in Forth Worth:
For 18 in a day, how many nurses? Can you figure out what is the average for an 8 hour shift? We don't have 12 hour shifts at this point. So I am not sure how that equates to what we are doing.
I appreciate all responses. Thanks, Kathy Kokotis, for responding also.
That is a great point. We do travel between 2 major size hospitals and 2 smaller hospitals. Of course, travel time if necessary impacts what is possible in an 8 hour day.
Does anyone that else have that to factor into their numbers of PICCs/day?
It seems you are all talking apple and oranges. How many PICCs can be placed depends on so many things.
Your question should be more specific. Are you interested in knowing how many PICCs in 8 hrs a PICC RN can place if she is in a PICC room where the patient is brought in already consented etc if she is experienced and uses MST w/ US she should be done on evarage in 15 minutes, which will include full drapes etc, you do the math...
If the PICC team is also doing follow up on the PICC from the previous day, if you get paged for problems, get paged for questions and advice and go teac here and there.... get my drift?
Be specific. The procedure itself is the easy and fast part, it's everything else that will get you, or may I should say slow you.
IF you have an experienced PICC RN (success rates 98.2% with MST, US, using Sherlock) going to the patient's room to insert the PICC, how many can he/she do in an 8 hour shift? Only insertions, documentation, charging, getting supplies, etc.
I am new at this. I trained for PICC's and started doing them in December. There is one other nurse trained with me. We have one more nurse who has done outside PICC's for an agency for years but she is just starting with us and has to be trained with the US and needle guide. Because the other nurse and myself are very new, we are working together for now. We have set the max we could do in a day right now is 4. And yes that is in an 8 hour day. I think as we become better if there are two over us, we could do more.
I am really not sure how one person does it by themselves. I suppose in time it would be easier but now I need the second pair of hands. We tring to track start to finsih and with transport and waiting for xray one PICC takes about 1 1/2 hours. We then have to clean up and get ready for the next one.
Gwen,
We use US/MST and a tracking device. We average 350+ PICCs/month and have placed tops 18/day with an average (depends on the census) of 8-15/d. Our team also works 12h rotating shifts. Although we have not done an official time study, I know that we are definitely more productive since using the tracking device. Cindy Hunchusky/Haris Methodist Hospital/PICC Team
Cindy Hunchusky, BSN, RN, CRNI
Cindy Hunchusky, BSN, RN, CRNI
Kathy Kokotis
Bard Access Systems
4 in an 8 hour shift if by oneself and includes everything consent , chest x-ray
8 in an 8 hour shift if working in teams of two
Kathy Kokotis
Bard Access Systems
OK, I have read the responses and have questions. We work solo also and use the Sherlock tip locator system.
Cindy in Forth Worth:
For 18 in a day, how many nurses? Can you figure out what is the average for an 8 hour shift? We don't have 12 hour shifts at this point. So I am not sure how that equates to what we are doing.
I appreciate all responses. Thanks, Kathy Kokotis, for responding also.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
Sheila Fiscus, RN, CRNI, Seton Family of Hospitals, Austin, TX
Gwen, I wonder, does anyone else travel to different hospitals? Wouldn't that make a difference, too?
Sheila Hale, MSN, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, Austin, TX
Sheila,
That is a great point. We do travel between 2 major size hospitals and 2 smaller hospitals. Of course, travel time if necessary impacts what is possible in an 8 hour day.
Does anyone that else have that to factor into their numbers of PICCs/day?
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
It seems you are all talking apple and oranges. How many PICCs can be placed depends on so many things.
Your question should be more specific. Are you interested in knowing how many PICCs in 8 hrs a PICC RN can place if she is in a PICC room where the patient is brought in already consented etc if she is experienced and uses MST w/ US she should be done on evarage in 15 minutes, which will include full drapes etc, you do the math...
If the PICC team is also doing follow up on the PICC from the previous day, if you get paged for problems, get paged for questions and advice and go teac here and there.... get my drift?
Be specific. The procedure itself is the easy and fast part, it's everything else that will get you, or may I should say slow you.
IF you have an experienced PICC RN (success rates 98.2% with MST, US, using Sherlock) going to the patient's room to insert the PICC, how many can he/she do in an 8 hour shift? Only insertions, documentation, charging, getting supplies, etc.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
OK. No more response with the "clarified" question.
Cindy in Fort Worth, any response?
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
I am new at this. I trained for PICC's and started doing them in December. There is one other nurse trained with me. We have one more nurse who has done outside PICC's for an agency for years but she is just starting with us and has to be trained with the US and needle guide. Because the other nurse and myself are very new, we are working together for now. We have set the max we could do in a day right now is 4. And yes that is in an 8 hour day. I think as we become better if there are two over us, we could do more.
I am really not sure how one person does it by themselves. I suppose in time it would be easier but now I need the second pair of hands. We tring to track start to finsih and with transport and waiting for xray one PICC takes about 1 1/2 hours. We then have to clean up and get ready for the next one.
Rhonda Wojtas, RN,BSN, VA-BC