If a patient has history of a DVT in an upper extremity would you place a PICC in the non affected upper extremity? I had a physican request this recently. I am not comfortable placing a PICC in such a patient because if an occlusion develops in the other arm then the pt. is so limited on their venous acess, especially if they ever need dialysis. I am curious how other institutions handle this type of request.
Amy Graham BSN CRNI
Memorial Hospital Belleville, IL
That totally depends on many other factors. What is the medical diagnosis, nursing diagnoses? What factors other than the PICC contributed to the thrombus? What infusion therapy is required and for how long? What are you other choices for vascular access? This is a matter of risk vs benefits. It could be that any other catheter may also create the same risk of DVT. Then you choice is which is going to present the least risk to the patient. 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