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jenneking
PICCs in both arms

Does anyone have any information stating that it is okay to place a PICC in both arms?  We have not had this issue before, and a doctor is asking if we can do it. The patient is on multiple drips and TPN and he wants a triple lumen in each arm.

 

Thanks]

Jenne King

Beth George
Hi Jenne,   I have done

Hi Jenne,

 

I have done this before for the same type situation.  I placed a triple lumen in one arm and a few days later the pt. got worse and they asked for another.  I placed a triple lumen in the other arm.  No problems whatsoever with placement and the patient actually did improve with time and was discharged with 1 PICC remaining with homehealth.

 

Beth

Beth George, CRNI, VA-BC
Nurse Clinician/Vascular Access
UAB Medicine
Birmingham, AL

Halle Utter
I have also done it without

I have also done it without problems.  It hasn't been necessary more than a few times.  There were no complications.  A PICC is a much smaller lumen than a dialysis catheter, and there are many times we have had a patient with a PICC on one side and a dialysis catheter on the other. I would have no problem doing this if it was warranted.

 

Halle Utter, RN, BSN

[email protected]

Intravenous Care, INC 

Hallene E Utter, RN, BSN Intravenous Care, INC

mary ann ferrannini
We do this routinely in our
We do this routinely in our ICUs. We try to place one in each arm,though we have had to place two in the same arm on some occasions where it was the only option for treatment.
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