Reduction of Malposition in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters With Tip Location System
Catheter malposition is a common occurrence with the insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (SRMH) in Santa Rosa, California, trialed and implemented a new tip location device to evaluate whether malposition rates could be reduced. This article compares 6 months of data. Three of these months were compiled before using the tip locator device. The right atrial malposition rate remained consistent at 18% with or without the use of the tip locator device. All other malpositions were 13.4% without use of the tip locator. The overall malposition rate was 2.5% with the use of the tip locator device. By using this technology, supply and labor costs were reduced, as were referrals to interventional radiology and delays in treatment. Overall staff satisfaction improved.Abstract
Contributor Notes
Christine Naylor, RN, CRNI, is the PICC Program Manager at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. She started the PICC program in 2000 with herself and one other person as staff. The staff currently consists of eight nurses who place PICC lines and are PRNs. She also manages the Admission Unit, a new unit created to improve flow through the Emergency Department. She works part time for Bard Access as a Clinical Educator/Preceptor, most often doing ultrasound training. She has lectured for Sonoma County Oncology Nurses Society and for Alta Bates and Summit Oncology Nurses.