I notice one hospital draws blood from a picc with push-pull method, while another removes the clave to draw blood with a vacutainer. I would think removing the clave to draw blood would be higher risk for patient infection. What is best practice to draw blood from a PICC with lowest risk for infection? Any reference or lit reviews. Thanks!
As I read your message, I am working on a thorough review of the literature for drawing blood samples from all catheters. This will be a new online course shortly. The issue of push-pull VS removal of the needleless connector is no an issue of CRBSI. Both techniques increase the risk of infection and this means all CVADs including PICCs should ONLY be used for any blood draw when it is absolutely necessary for a specific patient - history of vasovagal reactions, no peripheral veins can be found when ultrasound or near infrared light devices are used (this is not based on traditional landmark techniques).
The issue is hospital acquired anemia which is a huge problem in patients of all ages. With the vacutainer method you must waste a significant amount of blood but the push-pull method eliminates the discard volume and reduces the risk of anemia. We will be making an announcement as soon as this online course is available. 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
How does the push pull method eliminate the need for waste? Just curious hadnt heard that before.
thanks in advance
Gina Ward R.N., VA-BC
I believe that refers to "the Mixing Method" from JIN 2003; 26(5) 285-295 Frey A. Prevention of iatrogenic anemia. there is a discussion on this forum about it if you do a search.