 As an ICU nurse with no outpatient experience, I find very confusing information on outpatient PICC care. How often do PICCs need to be flushed in the out patient setting? Should a heparin solution be used? Does the use of hep-flush reduce the frequency of the flushing as outpatient? The literature we have to give the patients does not seem to address this. I feel this is important teaching info- but can't find any clear answers. Can you help?
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
Ann Zonderman, BSN, JD, CRNI, LHRM
The patient should be sent home with a flushing protocol prescription - this may be based on the hospital protocol, the physician preference, the agency monitoring/ providing supplies/ medications and may also follow manufacturers fluhsing recommendations.
What works in the hospital doesn't always work at home. More frequent use in the acute setting = more frequent flushing. Patients instructed that the line may be flushed less often than daily, may experience occlusions and need to declot the line,
The discharge planner should be coordinating care for followup / monitoring and may be a resource to determine what protocol will/ should be followed.
As you PICC staff to provide you some info re manufacturer recommendations, it may be in the product literature for the lines they are placing.
Ann Zonderman, BSN, JD, CRNI