I am looking for hospitals that are currently using PICC Lines for CVP monitoring. We are trying to institute this practice change. What I am interested in is:
1. How long have you been doing it?
2. Any idea about the number of patients whose PICC was used for CVP monitoring?
3. Have you seen any adverse effects? If so, what?
Please include your organization.
Thanks in advance!
Here at BCHS the CCU uses our Power PICCs for CVP monitoring. No adverse effects noted. Educator states they are pretty adequate. Only uses them for monitoring septic patients and sever dehydration. States they have only used CVP monitoring on a handful of patients.
We have been using our PICC's for CVP monitoring for over 2 years now. We do CVP monitoring on all our septic pt. As part of our sepsis orders, we have a standing order to place a PICC if a central line is not in place. Approx. 95% of our septic pt. get PICC's as our doctors don't place many central lines. We are present in the hospital for 14 hours and rest of the time we are on call to place PICC's for septic pt.The ICU staff has mixed feelings about the readings, questioning the accuracy at times, but no adverse effects
Karen Ratz,RN, VA-BC Unity Point St. Lukes Hospital, Cedar Rapids,IA
Sorry for my ignorance, but what is BCHS? Thanks for responding.
Wendy Erickson RN
Eau Claire WI
Sorry about that..... BCHS stands for Battle Creek Health Systems. Battle Creek, Michigan... :)
Hi Wendy:
1. For at least 4 years,probably longer.
2. We'll usually check a CVP off any pt. that has a PICC,so no exact numbers besides saying "a lot".
3. No undue consequences aside from the usual PICC-related complications,and none that I would say were ever due to having a transducer in-line. Our CVC infection rate is actually extremely low.
One thing to add is that it's not necessary to dedicate a lumen to the CVP readings,so there is no need to place a triple if a double will fit the patient's needs. Also,I have never questoned the accuracy of a PICC's CVP reading since our team does a good job of getting the tips at the CAJ. Can't say the same thing about the MD-placed CVC's.
We have been successfully monitoring CVP via PICCs at least 4 years.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas