Taking the Leap From PICC Placement to Tip Placement
Nurses who place peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) obtain x-rays after placement to determine tip placement. Radiologists read and interpret the x-ray to verify tip placement. It is then the primary physician or the radiologist who releases the PICC line for use. Until 2002, there were few institutions across the United States that empowered the vascular access nurse to take on this responsibility. This article discusses how to advance practice at the state-board-of-nursing level and discusses strategies to implement the change in scope of practice.Abstract
Contributor Notes
Timothy Royer BSN, CRNI is an AVA and INS member, and Nurse Manager of the Vascular Access Team/Diagnostic Services at Veteran's Administration Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
Ann Earhart, MSN, CRNI, APRN, BC is the clinical nurse specialist for the vascular access team at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.