In preparation for a presentation I am scheduled for at AVA this fall, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share any unusual complications they have run into for PICC line insertion/dwell/removal that could be shared with my AVA audience at the conference. Everyone is familiar with thrombus and infection, but I am looking for less common, more unusual events that would be interesting and valuable learning experiences for everyone. most of my experience is with peds and neonates so adult experiences are especially welcome. Photos are great if you have them and wouldn't mind sharing (with appropriate release and credit).
Thanks
Holly Hess
Search this forum for several discussions on what I call "mast cell activation syndrome", also known as idiopathic anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reactions. 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
Lynn...that was actually on my list I wanted to include. It facinates me and would love to dig deeper into that if I have time. I have seen the postings about that in the past. Other than that, what is the most interesting thing you have seen?
Holly
Our strangest complication came from a most unusal occurence. We had a patient that was discharged home for continued IV AB therapy. About 1-2 weeks later, he returned to the Emergency Department because his DOG had chewed off the cap to his PICC line. I am not making this up. The patient stated he fell asleep in his favorite chair and when he awakened, the dog was lying in his lap chewing on the PICC line. I would have bet the farm that the patient would develop an infection, but he suffered no harm from this bizaare event. I do not have any pictures of the device, I wish I did, but it did truly occur.
A long time ago, I also heard a similar story where the patient's bird routinely sat on her shoulder. This bird pecked at the tunneled catheter until it was broken. 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