Management Of Peripherally inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
Purpose:
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC) are catheters that are peripherally placed (i.e. the arm) but they are considered a central catheter because the catheter tip sits in the central circulation (i.e. the superior vena cava). Central catheters are commonly used to provide a reliable infusion route for infusion therapy of all types, however they can put patients at risk for complications from catheter related bloodstream infections which can account for significant health care costs and be life threatening.
Objectives
- Basic anatomy for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).
- Indications & contraindications for a PICC line insertion.
- Possible complications associated with PICC lines.
- Nursing responsibilities for care and maintenance, dressing & needle-less connector changes, flushing guidelines, changing needless connector, obtaining blood samples.
- Discontinuation/removal of PICC.
- Occlusion management of PICC.
This competency training requires:
- Review the learning literature on the Care and Management of PICCs.
- Successfully achieve 85% or greater on the skills and written test.
- Successfully provide a return demonstration on each of the following: dressing change, flushing, changing a needless connector, blood sampling, and removal.
- Successful demonstration of discontinuation and removal.
- Successful demonstration of occlusion management of PICCs.
The applicant will be awarded a training-specific American Heart Association Certificate Card.