Name
#206 - PICC your line, Single or Double? Advocating for the Right line for the Right patient at the Right time
Date & Time
Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00 PM
Description

A peripherally inserted central catheter or most commonly known as a PICC line is a long, thin flexible tube inserted in one of the large veins in the upper arm passed towards the heart. It is used to deliver intravenous (IV) medications such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, and fluids. PICC lines are also utilized to prevent multiple IV re-insertions for difficult IV access patients which could lead to delays in diagnosis, treatment, and prolonged hospital stay. PICC lines come in different sizes and are available in single, double or triple lumens. Based on the prescribed therapy, duration, and health of the veins, the PICC nurse chooses the number of lumens and size to be inserted on the patient with careful assessment of the health of the vessel to prevent complications such as infection, thrombosis, and occlusion. The PICC nurses in Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio, TX only had an option to insert double lumen PICCs and due to the poor vasculature of our veteran population, some were declined due to the size of their veins. Moreover, since the double lumen PICCs come in a bigger size, it is more prone to occlusions which can develop into other complications such as increased risk of infection and thrombosis or clots. The Infusion Nurses Society’s (INS) 2021 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice recommends to “choose a catheter appropriate to the patients’ vasculature and therapy requirements. Use a central vascular access device (CVAD) with the least number of lumens to reduce the risk of thrombosis, infection, and occlusion.” Adhering to the best evidenced-based nursing practice, in November 2022, the PICC team introduced the single lumen PICC as an option for veterans. The addition of a smaller diameter single lumen PICC line also benefited veterans with chronic kidney disease stage 3b and end stage renal disease whose vasculature must be protected for future hemodialysis needs. Single lumen PICCs have been documented with low risk for intra-lumen clotting, thus, the usage of alteplase which is used to break down the clots formed inside or at the tip of catheter has also decreased by 75%. Our alteplase number of use decreased from 27 doses per quarter to 4 doses per quarter with single lumen PICC role out for use on December 2022. Additionally, the cost per kit is less compared to double lumen PICCs.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
VHA/VA
Learning Outcomes
Following this session, the learner will be able to:

1. Provide a brief definition and use of a PICC catheter.
2. Determine the difference between single and double lumen PICC and its relation to the prescribe therapy for the patient.
3. Identify the role of the PICC nurse in determining the best and safest vascular access device for the patient.
4. Summarize benefits of incorporating a single lumen PICC such as costs efficiency and improvement of quality of care.
Session Type
Posters
Dropdown Content Presented On Behalf Of:
VHA/VA