This extensive national survey of NICU PICC practices showed wide variation in multiple aspects of PICC insertion and maintenance. A gap between the evidence and current practice was evident in many facets of training, insertion techniques, and maintenance processes. The data suggest a need for an increase in awareness of clinicians of current practice guidelines and standards and the need for further research to develop an evidence basis for many aspects of PICC care where lacking.
The utilization of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) has grown to become a common practice in neonatal care. Proper placement of the catheter in the superior vena cava (SVC) is essential to support safe delivery of care and minimize complications. This article describes three cases of patients whose catheters were malpositioned on initial placement or while in situ, that were successfully guided to appropriate tip location in the superior vena cava by implementing a combination of non-invasive catheter repositioning techniques.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.