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mstevens2004
warm compress

our general protocol is warm compress or ak pad just above insert site post picc placement. we do this for up to 48 hours

does anyone else have a similar protocol.

lynncrni
This is an old protocol that

This is an old protocol that came from the early days of AC insertions. There was an increased incidence of thrombosis and early stage mechanical phlebitis with insertion directly in the AC. When US became the dominate method for insertion, sites moved up the arm and out of the AC. Thrombosis rates are lower when the insertion is out of the bend of the arm. So if you are inserting in the mid-upper arm with US, there should be no need for this prophylactic treatment with heat. Many years ago, my hospital published our outcomes. We found that we did not need to treat all patients prophylactically because our rates of early stage mechanical phlebitis was so low. We only treated with heat when signs and symptoms indicated the need for it. Lynn

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN,  CRNI

Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.

PO Box 10

Milner, GA 30257

Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com

Office Phone 770-358-7861

Robbin George
Our post PICC insertion

Our post PICC insertion Nursing guidelines include:

(1) Cold pack the first 24 hours PRN--If the insertion was at all difficult e.g. required more than one venipuncture--The cold will help control bleeding/bruising 

(2) Heat application PRN patient comfort--Sometimes it relieves shoulder joint achiness particularly in the older patient

Phlebitis is not an issue because all our PICCs are placed in the upper arm and we very rarely use the Cephalic vein which is more prone to this complication

Robbin George RN Vascular Access Resource Department Alexandria Hospital Virginia

 

Robbin George RN VA-BC

momdogz
we stopped this practice

a few years ago.  There is evidence to show that heat can reduce inflammation, so we'll (ask for order to) use heat, and NSAIDS if not contraindicated, for early signs of phlebitis in patients for whom there is benefit of keeping the PICC line in situ.  Otherwise, it was a waste of time - and money if using the thermapacs.  As Lynn said, now that we are traumatizing the vein much less with skilled PICC nurses using U/S guidance and MST we don't see much phlebitis.  When we do, it is usually in a higher risk patient (inflammatory type states like crohns, RA, CA, lupus, etc.). 

Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center

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