Forum topic

I am looking at starting to place triple lumen PICC's on ICU patients that met the required need.  My question is this:

  Since there is a much higher incidence of infection and internal damage from regular triple lumens, would it be more prudent to provide a triple lumen PICC for some patients (with a center lumen for power injection) or just place the regular teiple lumens.  At this time we check wht count, febrile status, creat, bun, and all cultures results.  We do not like to PICC patients that are bacteremic since the doc's like to pull our lines out in a couple of days due to that reason.  We feel as though the picc is a long term line and should be used as such. 

    I am not so sure now and am beginning to have mixed feelings, especially about safety issues such as lack of sterility, and internal damage done by the doc's.  What is everyone elses thoughts?  We also must consider the much increased cost of the triple lumen PICC, and the possibility that it will be sent to the regular floors for use.  Added lumens give possibility to more infection risk.  It is definitly a patient to patient assessment, but how do you actually weigh those risks/benefits?

Confused,

  Heather