We have a new physician in our facility that placed an arterial line in a pt. axilla(armpit). I believe he tried radial and brachial and couldn't achieve access. Not sure if he tried the femoral artery. Has anyone heard of this practice? If so, are there any EBP articles/research to support this? I feel that the chances of infection would be much greater due to the moisture in the axilla(armpit) area. I have been at AVA and have heard the physician speak on putting central lines in the axilla via ultrasound on the chest but not placing in the axilla(armpit). I appreciate all input.
It sounds like this physician was doing a blind stick and not using ultrasound. There are no studies that I am aware of supporting insertion of any catheter into the axilla or armpit. This is wet skin and is documented to have the most number and different types of skin organisms than other sites with oily skin (chest, neck) or dry skin (extremities). Chances are the outcome of his radial or brachial attempts would have been different with ultrasound, which is now the standard of care for line insertion. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861