Hello, all,
Our PICC team received a request to place a PICC in a patient who has a large, non-functioning, tortuous AV fistula in the left upper arm and a history of right-sided weakness due to a CVA. Despite the right-sided weakness, this patient has a Swan-Ganz in the right jugular and permacath in the right subclavian. When we refused the placement, the MD became upset even after it was explained to her that the patient's co-morbidities ruled him our for bedside placement. She then preceded to order placement of a midline. Our question is this: Are the contraindications PICC placement extended to midlines? What is being done elsewhere in this respect?
Your help is much appreciated!
Chris Tracy, RN
Artie Hansford, CRNI
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
Oakland, CA
