Radiology techs performing unsupervised bedside PICC procedures
It has been reported to me by a nurse that was performing PICC placement procedure at St Rose Sienna hospital that they currently allow radiology technicians to go perform bedside PICC placement under no direct supervision. These are nonlicensed personal. It clearly states in the Infusion Nursing Society guidelines that only an RN, NP, or physician are sanctioned to perform this invasive procedure. Techicians are not even allowed to start an IV ,aminister medication and such. Each procedure requires the administration of intradermal lidocaine.
Is submitting charges for procedures performed that are not in compliance with CDC & JC standards fraud? With all the focus related to central line blood stream infection and Medicare reimbursement this is a very significant issue. Currently this group has taken a contract at a UHS hospital. The plan is to have one directing RN and two radiology techs to go in and perform the procedures.They will not be working together they will be dividing shifts. I am privledged to this information by the IV PICC team supervisor that just lost her position to these tech's. I practice at SNF's & LTACH's and have seen many pt's that have experienced PICC procedures performed by these tech's....what they describe is medically and professionally incompetent. I have question in relation to documentation. The facilities use electronic documentation and a radiologist's electronic signature is generated on the form. We all kbow that the rads are not following these tachs around the hospital to supervise their procedures. If A tech documents that a physician was present at the bedside during a procedure then that is falsification of documentation. Techs are not licensed so they have no governing body to be accountable for their actions. I have reported this to the JC, Neveda state department of health & humsn resources. I plan to report it to CMS. Does anyone have any support they can offer me. If we allow this to continue, what's to stop this from crossing over into other states. Are all of your positions comprimised? Nurses in general could be replaced by tech's for any number of skilled task. I suppose the universites would have no further need of nursing programs because nurses could be replaced by tech's.
I would appreciate any insight and advise.
Thanks, Margie Hood RN
