Re: SV: PICC Removal Dressings

[Lynn Hadaway]

Title: Re: SV: PICC Removal Dressings

The risk of air emboli from a site where a PICC has been removed is minimal, but it does exists. There will be a skin tract left when the PICC is removed. There could also be a stabilized fibrin sheath acting as a conduit of air into the bloodstream. I have never heard of an AE happening from a PICC removal, but it could happen. The INS standards of practice includes PICCs in the standard for applying an ointment based dressing to the site when removing. Lynn

At 7:16 PM +0100 11/9/05, Mats Strömberg wrote:

Lynn,
Is the report you mention on a PICCs? I don't think anyone puts ointment on the puncture site in Sweden. Bard here certainly does not teach it and I have never heard about any patient experiencing air embolus after PICC removal.

Has anyone on the list experienced a patient with air embolus after PICC removal?


Den 05-11-09 17.43, skrev "Lynn Hadaway" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:

I am convinced that an ointment-based dressing is required to adequately seal off the puncture site from any CVC. There will always be a tract from the skin to the vein. It is true that the risk of air emboli is greater with a subclavian or jugular site but I would also write my policy to place the same dressing on PICCs for consistency of practice and to be extra safe. This has been discussed in critical care literature also as the best practice. An air emboli have been reported when this was not done. I have worked in several hospitals that did this as routine procedure. Lynn

At 10:52 AM -0500 11/9/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Our institution currently doesn't have a policy that states to put an oil based dressing on after the removal of a PICC line.  Even more, they are not currently doing so for the removal of a Triple Lumen Line.  I know that the INS states that there should be a oil based dressing placed over the exit site...however, is this truly best practice?  What are others out there doing?

Lorelle Wuerz BS, RN

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Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
http://www.hadawayassociates.com
office 770-358-7861