We are a small rural hospital and have 3 RN's place PICCs. I am called the most as I am per diem and live close by. ONe of the other RNs works 3 days a week but is a single mother who lives 30 min away. I do either piccs or midlines about 3 times a week. The single mom does them about 3 a month. There is another trained RN but he works a lot and hasnt done one in 6 months. My question is how often do you need to do them to be competant. I will be 75 this fall and hope to finally retire. It is frustrating trying to train someone in this size hospital.
There is no data or evidence to give you a specific number. You are talking about ongoing competency, as opposed to the initial competency. Both types of assessment are required. In situations like yours, this infrequent performance of certain skills is a challenge. For those who have few insertions, they need to do repetitive work in a simulation lab - nothing high end but it needs to closely duplicate the complete insertion into an anatomial model, never a human volunteer. This is similar to want pilots to in their simulation trainers. You can also assist with the knowledge requirements by creating cheat sheets such as indications for each type of VAD, what solutions can and cannot be infused through these VADs, what they need to include in the pre-insertion assessment, etc. Look at outcome data on all insertions. Identify problems and create a system to correct them. Ongoing competency assessment should be directly linked to outcomes with a plan to improve them.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thanks so much for your quick response. You are such a wonderful asset to our community!