Now that I am enlightened on the topic of flushing PICC with continuous IV. My next questions:
1) Do you routinely draw blood from PICC for lab?
2) How do you do it (step-by-step) with the PICC that has continuous IV infusions?
Thanks
Now that I am enlightened on the topic of flushing PICC with continuous IV. My next questions:
1) Do you routinely draw blood from PICC for lab?
2) How do you do it (step-by-step) with the PICC that has continuous IV infusions?
Thanks
You don't or should not draw from the lumen being used for continuous infusion. Too many issues here - infection risk, valid test results due to the infusing fluids, etc. When you know this will be needed place a dual lumen PICC. However, the practice of routinely using a lumen of all CVCs for all blood sampling is now being questioned by many experts. Blood sampling requires increased hub manipulation which will increase the risk of CRBSI. So I would only recommend using any CVC for blood sampling when the benefits outweigh the risk and this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
It sounds like you are new to the practices of infusion nursing. Welcome! There are numerous resources from the Infusion Nurses Society and the Association for Vascular Access. In fact, the INS textbook has just been updated and released for purchase. I would strongly recommend this book along with the Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice as tools you will need to write your policies and procedures.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
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