To vascular access clinicians,
I would like to ask the group if anyone knows about literature supporting our education about not accessing the arm with the PICC placed in it from a complication perspective?
Angelo M. Aguila, BSN, RN, VA-BC
Mills Peninsula Health Services
I am not aware of any studies, however infection prevention is the primary reason in my opinion. We have no good studies on infection rates with PIVs, but all agree that they do occur. One study has reported a calculated rate of 10,000 S. aureus BSI from PIVs annually in the USA. Strict attention to aseptic technique is required for all PIVs but expecially when a PICC is already in that same arm. This means skin antisepsis is more than just a simple swipe across the area. It means strict attentiont to use of disinfection caps and scrubbing with each entry into the system and NEVER disconnecting the primary continuous IV set unless it is time to replace it. Introduction of organisms throught the PIV below the PICC can easily colongize the PICC leading to BSI. 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