Topic: Nurse for PICC installation instead of radiologist?
poppy
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posted
The hospital where I am going to have a PICC installed soon uses an outside company to do these. The people are nurses, not radiologists. I am told they use a fluroscope.
Making me nervous. I always thought it was best to have a radiologist do it.
It is my impression that installation is all these nurses do, so presumably they are experienced. I once had a nurse fail to install a PICC because my veins are so hard to find, buried deep. But this was not in a hospital and not with a fluroscope.
Any thoughts?
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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I know seven or eight nurses that are PICC line insertion certified.
It sounds like the hospital you are going to has a PICC team made up entirely of nurses.
You should gain comfort from this fact as that is all these employees do: insert PICC lines. When you do one task, you get very good at it.
The PICC nurses will probably be using ultrasound equipment and not fluoroscopy.
The ultrasound will enable the PICC line nurses to visualize where your difficult veins are located which makes their job easier.
Fluoroscopy is utilized for patients with very difficult veins which cannot be visualized by ultrasound.
If it were me, I would be very happy having the PICC certified nurse to help me out.
It is a heck of a lot cheaper than using fluro, the nurse is probably nicer than the radiologist (just guessing), and you will not be exposed to unneeded X-Rays.
Be well, Thewino
-------------------- Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been --J. Buffett
All of my replies should not be taken as medical advice as they are my opinions only and I am not a physician. Posts: 55 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2012
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Razzle
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Both PICC's I've had were inserted by radiologists. First one used fluoroscopy, second PICC insertion used ultrasound, fluoroscopy and a little Nitro-glycerine (to get my veins to stop spasming).
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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beaches
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Personally, I would be much more comfortable with an interventional radiologist especially considering how close that line comes to your heart.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
My first PICC line was placed by radiologist and the second one was placed by a RN in ER. She had something like portable "X-ray"
Both PICC lines lasted for full year (each).
In Virginia and I would like to believe any other state only specially trained RN can place PICC or midline.
Honestly when RN placed my second line,it was less painfull and faster then when it was done by radiologist. Good thing about radiologist was that PICC line was secured by stitches and the second line was not.
But if you feel more comfortable why not seek a radiologist.
Posts: 191 | From va | Registered: Sep 2008
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poppy
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I don't think I get a choice. That is the way it is done at the hospital where my doc sends his patients.
Does that mean if an RN places the line, I can't get it sutured? Uh oh. I do my own dressing changes and can't handle that statlock thing.
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sammy
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My PICC lines were placed by certified PICC/ Infusion nurses with ultrasound guidance and and verified by x- ray. They did an excellent job, the procedure was quick and easy.
I was surprised at how little pain was felt with placement. All I felt was the 1 poke like a normal IV insertion and then the rest was just tugging and pressure sensations.
The PICC nurses were well experienced, they did a great job so that's what I would recommend for you.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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poppy
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Thank you Sammy. Think of you often and impressed that you continue to help people here even with your own ongoing trials. You are a special person.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
When I got second PICC line I asked RN about stitches but she said that it was not their practices. My understanding was that different facilities have different policies (my PICC lines were not placed at same hospitals).
But I cared for my non stitched PICC line for a year without any problem. Good luck
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kidsgotlyme
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My DD had two PICC lines put in by nurses. We didn't have any problems. I felt better knowing that is ALL they do.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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