After reviewing this topic's forum discussion from 2006, I was wondering if there is any current literature that supports a specific standard for cleansing the entire arm vs. an area of the arm when preparing for PICC insertion? Our group of Rad nurses (who also insert PICC lines) has maintained a 0% infection rate since 2004, using both methods of cleansing the arm, so it's not a matter of determining which method is best, but rather a desire to follow standard procedure consistently. Thanks very much.
Published national standards have not identified a specific size for the prepped area. However, I have always taught to prep from bedline to bedline, above and below the insertion site by at least 4 to 6 inches. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
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
Susan Rainey, Olympic Medical Center
Thanks very much, Lynn.
Susan Rainey RN, Olympic Medical Center