At our hospital we are trying to cut out all possible unnecessary phone calls to the hospitalist for orders. If the radiologist is reading the xray and telling the picc nurse via wet read where the line is is that sufficient enough for the nurse to use the line? We currently get the wet read and then call the hospitalist to get the order to then use the line. What does everyone else do?
Thanks
Renee
Our hospital does not require a physician's order to use a central line so our nurses know that they can use it if properly positioned. We are qualified to read tips and will call the nurse to let them know it's in good position.
Darilyn
This team took Lynn Hadaway's chest xray course and are authorized to clear lines then write orders to use. The radiologists love it, they do of course over read the cxr's and almost always concur. I must say it works very well, the lines are quickly available for use after placement.
accidental ditto
So gald to see this practice becoming more rationale and cost effective. Having a written policy to establish where the tip should be, having confirmation from someone authorized to assess the tip location on the xray (either MD, or inserting nurse) and tip location in the correct position is all you need to proceed with using the PICC. I have never understood the idea of having a separate order from another MD to actually use a PICC. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861