I was asked to place a PICC "in a new site and then dc the current." This was due to positive blood cultures. Pt is a long-term home TPN patient and blood cultures grew pseudomonas. I've read treat and leave in place; or pull/replace with new. Is there a current standard?
A little concerned about the source for what you are reading - true published evidence or opinion on an internet site? Vein thrombosis does not mean PICC should be removed. Infection is different. here is the most recent reference to guide your practice:
Mermel, L. A., Allon, M., Bouza, E., Craven, D. E., Flynn, P., O’Grady, N. P., . . . Warren, D. K. (2009). Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infection: 2009 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 49(1), 1-45. doi:doi:10.1086/599376
This is an old document and it is now in revision but the new one has not been released yet.
Also you need the INS Standards of Practice to guide decision making.
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