This really sounds like a great study if anyone is willing to take it 
on.  We've had a few incidences of Vtach which resolves as soon as the 
PICC is pulled back into the SVC.  This is a very small number, but can 
cause seroius problems, create many more unncessary costs/tests/risks 
for the patient if the nurse doesn't put together that the PICC 
slipping into the atrium could cause ectopy.  We're currently exploring 
how we can get a better handle on this.

Glad to hear we are not alone.  This list serve is great to hear others 
experiences and thoughts.

Pat Deisch MSN, RN
BryanLGH Medical Center

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dianne Sim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:56 pm
Subject: RE: telemetry and PICCs

> Admittedly, the risk is here, but how big a risk is it, and at 
> what point
> can you justify the extra cost of telemetry/monitoring? Our team 
> has placed
> 5,567 PICCs at the bedside since 1/1/2000, with approx. 80% without
> monitoring, and not had a single problem with ventricular arrythmias
> perceived.                                                         
> Regards,
> 
> 
> Dianne Sim RN
> CEO & President
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> IV Assist, Inc.,
> 
> 2675 Appian Way
> 
> Pinole, CA  94564
> 
> Phone: (510) 222-8403
> 
> Fax: (510) 222-8277
> 
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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>  _____  
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> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Heather Nichols
> Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 11:54 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: telemetry and PICCs
> 
> 
> 
> I have not seen much documented on this either, but anyone who 
> does PICC
> placements knows it happens frequently.  It is not exactly a study 
> thatsomeone would come in and volunteer for.  
> 
>     I have often wished I could carry around a portable monitor 
> to place on
> anyone I put a PICC in.  It may seem like over kill, but I feel 
> like you can
> never be too cautious. I myself have put a patient into v-tach 
> while placing
> a PICC.  It was barely in the right atrium.  I would never have 
> known if the
> patient had not had a monitor.  He was sedated and therefore 
> unable to
> verbalize.  The cost would not be that much if you were smart 
> about it.  Get
> your own portable monitor, or have one in the room you are using 
> to place
> lines.  Any nurse placing PICC's for a living should be able to 
> recognizeectopy, so you really do not need anyone else to monitor. 
>      
> 
> 
> 
> Heather Nichols RN BSN CRNI 
> Infusion Services
> University of Louisville Trauma Institute
> 530 S. Jackson St.
> Lou. Ky. 40202
> (502)562-3530
> 
> >>> "Kilbourne, Susan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 5/9/2006 1:23 PM >>>
> 
> I just had a visit from our infection control MD. She states that the
> physicians/surgeons group have decided that they need to do 
> telemetry when
> placing central lines and want to require it for PICC placements 
> as well. I
> have one article from Pediatric Anesthesia that talks about V-tach 
> with PEDS
> PICC placements but other than that, this is not something I have 
> heard of
> doing on everyone. I told her my concerns with added cost, 
> competency and
> having portable telemetry units available. Are any of you doing 
> telemetryduring PICC placements? I think this is overkill but I 
> need all the info I
> can get before they act on this.
> 
> Sue Kilbourne CRNI, OCN 
> Clincail Manager Vascular Access/Infusion Services 
> Asante Hospital Systems 
> 
> 
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begin:vcard
n:Deisch;Pat
fn:Pat Deisch
tel;pager:71-2582
tel;work:(402) 481-3617
org:BryanLGH Medical Center;
adr:;;1600 South 48th St;Lincoln;NE;68506;
version:2.1
email;internet:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
title:Clinial Nurse Specialist
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