Does anyone have experience placing Extended length catheters for congestive heart failure patients? If so, are the patients admitted first and then receive their lines or the other way around? Do you take a chest X-Ray after placement?
At my institution, the patient is admitted and then the ELC (extended length catheter) is placed. The catheter is inserted with the same technique as a PICC. The catheter is not trimmable and the manufacturer states that a chest xray is not necessary. However, we always xray them. We have had several lines go up the IJ and subsequently had to be pulled back.
We also admit and then place the line. I helped write our ELC policy and we included that the patient needed to have a CXR post placement. I am thinking that we got that from the manufacturer's IFU.......
Our biggest problem has been that the line is misidentified as a PICC. We now are 'flagging' the external portion of this device with a label that says, "Not to be used for infusion." I hope that takes care of that issue......
If this "extended LENGTH catheter" is not for infusion.....then for what type of therapy is it used??? I am not familiar with this device, I am certain others are confused by your comment of labeling ELC as "not to be used for infusion"
Can you provide a link to the manufacturer who makes this catheter please?
Is there BOTH an EXTENDED DWELL, and EXTENDED LENGTH catheters??? If so what is the difference?
I love this forum ...great place for new information!
Any Manufacturer reps who can comment please clarify for us!
There are ELCs placed specifically for use with ultrahemofiltration devices to treat diuretic-resistant CHF. I did a poster on this process a few years ago at AVA. The name of the company that sells ELCs is CHF Solutions.
Could you define extended dwell catheter? If this term is synonymous with a midline, how could it ever go up the Jugular? It should terminate in the upper arm.
We also admit and then place the line. I helped write our ELC policy and we included that the patient needed to have a CXR post placement. I am thinking that we got that from the manufacturer's IFU.......
Our biggest problem has been that the line is misidentified as a PICC. We now are 'flagging' the external portion of this device with a label that says, "Not to be used for infusion." I hope that takes care of that issue......
Alma K
Alma
If this "extended LENGTH catheter" is not for infusion.....then for what type of therapy is it used??? I am not familiar with this device, I am certain others are confused by your comment of labeling ELC as "not to be used for infusion"
Can you provide a link to the manufacturer who makes this catheter please?
Is there BOTH an EXTENDED DWELL, and EXTENDED LENGTH catheters??? If so what is the difference?
I love this forum ...great place for new information!
Any Manufacturer reps who can comment please clarify for us!
Susan Schuetrumpf, RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Atlanta GA
There are ELCs placed specifically for use with ultrahemofiltration devices to treat diuretic-resistant CHF. I did a poster on this process a few years ago at AVA. The name of the company that sells ELCs is CHF Solutions.
Kelli
Hallene E Utter, RN, BSN Intravenous Care, INC