INS standards indiccate there should be a limit of 2 venipuncture attempts per nurse for any IV procedure. Do you limit the total # of attempts for PICC insertions?
For the most part, yes. We have a few very experienced nurses that rarely have had 3 sticks, and then were successful. They are well aware of the INS standards, but due to the patient's status and critical access need, they feel the best option for the patient is one more time. Again, this is a rare practice and certainly should not be a daily practice.
For the most part, yes. We have a few very experienced nurses that rarely have had 3 sticks, and then were successful. They are well aware of the INS standards, but due to the patient's status and critical access need, they feel the best option for the patient is one more time. Again, this is a rare practice and certainly should not be a daily practice.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas