Can any one give me any information on yearly documentation of competency for PICC insertions? Is there a requirement? I recently had a Bard educator come in to observe me to check on my skills. In turn I used the same type of  check list for the other members of my team as I place PICC's 3-4 days a week and they do them 1-2 days a week. I am not sure what the requirements are or if there are any.
Thank you for any information you have to offer.
Rhonda Wojtas, RN
PICC Nurse
Lowell, MA
There are no standards, guidelines or recommendations for XX number of PICC insertions to achieve competency and none to assess ongoing competency. Joint Commission states that each facility is responsible for assessing and documenting competency initially and ongoing. No specific time intervals, no specific methods recommended, etc. The best approach is to monitor your clinical outcomes. Change your ongoing competency assessement program on a periodic basis to improve those outcomes. If your outcomes show a high rate of bloodstream infection within the first week of dwell time, you should definitely assess all aspects of infection prevention in the insertion process. If the infections are coming later in the dwell, I would focus on how primary care nurses are managing the catheter hub. Same for thrombosis, dislodgement, etc. Look for your problems then establish your competency program to improve those outcomes.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861