We are trying to research and establish a benchmark for what should be the average number of device (PICC) days, at our facility. Are the PICC Teams/IV Therapy Teams anticipating an increase or decrease in PICC usage? And, what formula is being used to calculate (device)PICC days? What we are expecting to gain from this is, a determination of whether or not we are within an acceptable range for PICC usage and device days. Thank you in advance for feedback.
I have my doubts about taking such an approach. I don't think you can have a benchmark number that will tell a facility that they are or are not within some acceptable range for PICC usage. Patient populations and individual patient needs vary greatly. Those patient needs are what drives the need for any CVAD. PICC use has been steadily growing for the past 15 years. This was primarily due to choosing PICCs instead of other percutaneous CVADs. Now data comparing outcomes between PICCs and nontunnled percutaneous CVADs is showing the infection rates are about the same and thrombosis rates are higher with PICCs. Each team will be different in their experience level. A team that has been in place since PICC insertion began in the late 1970's have been through all of the ups and downs, gone up and now may be decreasing their PICC usage. A team with only a few years experience may still be seeing an increase in their usage of PICCs. Then there are some teams that are now putting in those subclavian and jugular CVADs in addition to PICCs. So that could alter the number of PICCs being inserted. There are studies that have looked at the number of PICCs inserted and device days for a specific patient population. That may be as close as you can get. 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