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mharman
Left handed Tips

We have recently added a new member to our team who is left-handed.  The rest of us are right handed.  We have already encountered some challenges in training him.  Does anyone have a left-handed team member who could speak with him?  Does anyone have any tips for left-handed PICC inserters?  Any information would be helpful.  Thanks  Mally

 

Angela Lee
I am left handed.  I don't

I am left handed.  I don't know if I can help but I can be contacted at [email protected]

Leigh Ann Bowegeddes
Left Handed PICC Inserters

I teach Lefties frequently. For people who stand behind the right arm and reach over (as I do as a right-handed inserter), you just turn everything around backwards. On the right, a leftie would face the arm on the overbed table, with the ultrasound positioned on the other side of the table, facing the inserter. On the left arm, the leftie would stand at the patient's head and face the feet, with the arm on the overbed table and the ultrasound on the other side of the table, facing the inserter. If this doesn't make sense, I am not surprised. I could explain it better live. Email if someone needs to talk with me.

 

Leigh Ann Bowe-Geddes, BS, RN, CRNI

Vascular Access Specialist

University of Louisville Hospital V.A.S.T.

Rhonda Wojtas
I am left handed and

I am left handed and acctually have trained several other nurses. who were not. I acctually think being left hand makes it easier for me to to a right ext picc. I stand the same as other beside the patient not at the head. It is important to place your wire within you reach regardless. If I can help please email me. [email protected]

Rhonda Wojtas, RN,BSN, VA-BC

Sheila Hale
left handed PICC placement

I'm not  left-handed but I use my left hand to stick.  I place the site rite at the head of the bed, place the patient's arm at 45 degree angle, drape the probe over the arm and hold the probe with my rt hand and stick with the left.  It was easier to view the screen without having to turn my head.  I have neck problems so it really bothered me.  With this set up, using my left hand, I'm facing the screen fully.  On the left side, I switch back to my right hand to stick. 

Sheila Hale, RN, CRNI, VA-BC

blodahl
Left handed tips

I do the same as Sheila. When accessing the right arm of the patient I usually hold the US probe with my right hand and stick with my left; conversely, when I place a PICC in the patients left arm I hold the probe with my left hand and needle the patient with my right hand always looking across the bed to the Ultrasound screen. I know some nurses are so dominent with one hand or the other they cannot accommodate this way, but it's all about being able to see that screen without having to crank my neck too far one way or the other and having access to my sterile supplies without having to reach one arm over the other. I've seen some nurses so entrenched with doing a PICC from the side they are most comfortable with that they always go for a vein on that side without determining which arm has the best vascular option. This sometimes fails what is in the best interest of the patient.

Barbara

bcardin
Left-handed

I am left-handed and when placing a right picc I place the ultrasound where it is between me and the patient's arm.  My sterile field is easily accessible on my left without having to reach over.  When placing a left picc, I place the ultrasound on the opposite side of the bed for easier viewing.  I have neck problems and it's a lot easier for me that way.  I place my sterile field on a table at my left side for easy access.  Other than the location of the sterile field, I really don't see much difference in technique.

Bobbi Martin, RN

Archbold Medical Center

Thomasville, GA

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