Nina,
We don't have a policy for this, but the PICC nurses know when they have
inadvertently accessed an artery and document this and their response. It
has occurred, but their response is immediately to remove the PICC and
therefore, the access site and hold pressure x 5 minutes, then document the
distal pulses after the occurrence.
However, we have also had a few that were not arterial, but had such a brisk
blood return that we reacted to that and REMOVED the PICC. We have learned
from that also.
I do not have references that relate to arterial hematomas, like you asked.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nina Ainslie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 12:23 PM
Subject: Arterial sticks
We are developing a competency to follow for inadvertent arterial
sticks, and arterial cannulation when performing PICC insertions. Does
anyone have references related to arterial hematomas?
Nina Ainslie, RN, BS, CRNI
Infusion Nurse Specialist, PICC Services
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