PICC

Power Hour Breakout

(G3) In the Line of Duty: Improving the Performance of PICCs Research Results from an Australian Hospital

Presenter(s)

• 

  Nicole Gavin, BSc(Hons)AdultNursing;MasterofAdvancedPractice(HealthCareResearch);PhD

  Nurse Researcher
  Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital

  Angiodynamics () : Grant/Research Support

Co-Presenter(s)

• 

  Nicole Marsh, RN, BN, MAdvPrac(HlthRes), PhD

  Research Fellow (Vascular Access)
  Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital; Griffith University

  Angiodynamics: Grant/Research Support (Status: Ongoing)
• 

  Julie Flynn, RN, MAdvPractice, PhD(c)

  Senior Research Assistant
  Griffith University

  Nothing to Disclose

PICC failure is unacceptably high and is associated with morbidity, mortality, increased length of stay, and patient and staff dissatisfaction. Complications post insertion can be broadly categorised as either mechanical and infective. This presentation will describe a programme of research that is concentrated on improving the rates of PICC failure after the PICC has been inserted. The key topics to be addressed will include: (1) PICC materials to reduce mechanical and infective complications; (2) the use of valves in PICCs to reduce mechanical complications; (3) choice of dressings to reduce mechanical and infective complications; and (4) needleless connector decontamination practices to reduce infective complications. In addition to the primary research conducted, this session will comprise of a review of the literature and evidence-based guidelines.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the infective and mechanical complications that occur in PICCs after insertion.
• understand that the variety of PICC properties available, such as PICC materials and valves, will affect infective and mechanical complications.
• summarize the results of a pilot randomized control trial investigating the effectiveness of a new PICC technologies in an adult population.
• recognize the differences between patients cared for in hospital and the community setting and how this affects PICC outcomes.
• critique the available evidence supporting the use of dressings and needleless connector decontamination practices to reduce mechanical and infective complications.