Developing A Successful Radiology Nursing Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters and Midline Insertion Program

摘要

Vascular access is a necessary part of the treatment plan for virtually every patient admitted to an acute care facility. Because of decreased length of stays in the acute care setting, many patients continue to need vascular access in transitional facilities or at home. With the increasing need to use health care dollars wisely, it is important to choose the most appropriate vascular access device to meet the patient's needs. Because of their diversity for use, low risks associated with insertion, positive clinical outcomes, and low cost of insertion, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICC), and midline catheters have become a valuable resource in the management of vascular access. As the role of these catheters in the treatment plan has expanded, the number of procedures has increased dramatically. Historically, these lines were placed by in-terventional radiologists; however, due to the increase in volume, many facilities are choosing to move the placement of PICC and midline catheters from the interventional radiologists to a specialized nursing team. Vanderbilt University Medical Center took this step in January 2000.