I would like to hear from any SecurAcath users. I need some info such as how you like using it, if used on all PICCs or just extended dwell times, any complications/disadvantages that you may have had, and any other info you would like to share.. Thanks
Hi Marc,
We use SecurAcath at my hospital and the vast majority of staff and patients like them. They have performed as desired for us. We use them on all our insertions. Complications are almost exclusively related to improper nursing care. Our replacement rate for PICCs has gone from10% to 1%. None of the replacements were as a result of SecurAcath failure, with the exception of one of the very first ones applied, and I think was more inserter error (mine) then device failure. The biggest issue was the focus on education to make sure nurses were caring for the device and site properly, and teaching them to problem solve difficulties. I did do a poster presentation on it, if you are interested I could share it with you.
K. McDonald RN, CVAA(c)
Thanks Kerry. I would love to see your poster presentation
We also use SecurAcath. We use it on all PICCs that we anticipate to be in for greater than 2 weeks or the pt is confused. It has almost eliminated line exchanges due to lines pulling out. Patients and staff love them. Only a couple removed due to pain at the site and they were manipulated first but an untrained nurse. Biggest problem is nursing education especially the home care agencies as they have such a high turn-over. Company rep provided all of the training and returned several time to work with hospital and home care agencies.
Linda C. Smith, RN
Since switching to Securacath we have seen our rates of catheter displacement drop to nearly zero. I was concerned that a good tug on the PICC could snap it at the Securacath hub. On the few occasions a patient has yanked the PICC or caught it on something the line has slipped out of the Securacath hub intact (we use PowerPicc solos - not so sure how a Groshong would fair). Here in England we have a national organisation that rates the clinical efficacy and cost implications of devices and medicines to help guide the NHS. This organisation showed Securacath to be cost effective when used for 15 days or longer https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg34 We have seen very few complications. If the site is bleeding following the procedure the blood will travel along the nickel prongs by capillary action into the hub of the device. It can be very difficult to subsequently remove dried blood from the device. To avoid this I place sterile gauze under the hub and over the top for the first 24 hours after insertion, so the edge of the gauze abuts the insertion site. I've also had some success with inserting the Securacath following insertions where no dermatotomy was made, further reducing bleeding. In all my care pathways I place a simple photoguide of how to clean the insertion site with Chloraprep and how to subsequently dress. RNs report finding it much easier to re-dress a Securacath'd line than a PICC secured by a adhesive securement device.
Steve H
Steve Heath
Vascular Access Clinical Nurse Specialist
Lincolnshire UK
Thanks for the replies. We currently use the Securacath and we as the inserters love it.