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jimrn1967
PICC line infections

Hello,

I'm the nurse manager for a radiology dept., with a PICC team.  We are a large inner city University institution, with all the problems that a teaching facility can present. We are having issues with MD's ordering new picc's on inpts who already have one.  The MD's feel when a pt has a fever, elevated WBC's, etc., their picc should be d/c'd and a new one placed.  This inspite of the fact there are multiple other reasons, besides the picc, to explain the pt's fever, white count, or other clinical presentation.  No one is compliant with culturing the picc tip, or drawing peripheral blood cultures, etc.  Can anyone help me with data to show the MD's, to stop the madness.  We don't mind putting in the picc's, it just doesn't seem to be the right thing for the pt's.  We have several pt's that are on their 3rd picc in 3 weeks, right now.

Thanks,

Jim Willman

Nurse Manager

Radiology/PICC team

lynncrni
This is the document you

This is the document you need:

Mermel, L., B. Farr, R. Sherertz, I. Raad, N. O'Grady, J. Harris, and D. Craven, 2001, Guidelines for the management of intravascular catheter-related infections: Journal of Infusion Nursing, v. 24, p. 180-205.
 

This set of guidelines discusses when to remove, when not to remove, and how to manage all types of catheters including PICCs. It is originally published by the Infectious Disease Society of America and written by well-known infectious disease physicians that should be known to your ID doctors. 

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI

www.hadawayassociates.com

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

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