• Why PICC us for IV access
• The PICC Nurse Specialist
• Use of Equipment and Technology
• Benefits- for the Patient, the Nurse, and the Healthcare Facility

Besides dedication, training, and competency, one of the facets which make VAM special is the use of top-of-the-line and most currently available equipment and state of the art technology which assists our accuracy. Both allow us to maximize our skills benefitting patients and healthcare facilities.

Each nurse is equipped with top of the line ultrasound which produces a high quality image during insertion. Because we can visualize, actually see the deeper, bigger vessels in the upper portion of the arm, we don't rely on palpation needed to access the smaller superficial veins located at the elbow bend or lower. And since the larger vessels are used, this provides more comfort and decreases risks otherwise associated with use of smaller and distal vessels.

The PICC line catheters we use are latex free and certain PICCs, such as Power PICCs, can withstand great pressures making them ideal for use during studies requiring contrast dyes. Further, PICC catheters are either single or multi lumened. With multiple lumens, two or three IV sites can be available via one PICC catheter insertion. Usually centrally placed, these catheters are ideal for long term caustic antibiotics, chemotherapy, and nutrition. Our preferred PICC lines, but not all catheters, offer ports with large gauges suitable for infusions of blood products. Conversely, blood can be drawn for daily labs without requiring additional venipunctures once the line is in place.

The entire PICC line placement is completed quickly and expertly at the patient bedside. This provides many benefits to patients, nurses, and institutions/facilities. Patients are less anxious, remain in their room, and generally feel more secure and comfortable with their nurse close by and in familiar surroundings. Because we place lines while the patient is in his bed, he never leaves the care of his nurse. Nurses no longer have to coordinate various departments and staffs to insure the PICC is completed timely. In addition, there is little to no disruption to nursing involving medication and care timeframes. We come to the floor, talk with the patient, and report fully to the nurse before and after the procedure. The facility benefits in many ways. No longer is there the expense of interventional suites, radiologists, technicians and nurses needed to insert PICC lines, thereby creating availability for other procedures. There is full elimination of transport personnel and equipment freeing this department completely. Patient satisfaction increases by lessening physical and emotional discomfort. Treatment time is decreased which ultimately leads to decreased length of stay as we insert the line expediently and uneventfully. As treatment is initiated quicker, patients are discharged earlier as soon as treatment is completed or as soon as discharge care is in place.

The PICC line is inserted as a sterile procedure. We use full and maximum barrier precautions typically using a trained circulating nurse to assist the inserting nurse specialist during the insertion process. After the line is aseptically inserted and dressed, a chest x-ray is taken to confirm the ideal catheter tip placement. Again, this is done at the patients' bedside.

The entire process, due to expert PICC nursing specialists using advanced equipment and technology, takes well under an hour in most cases and allows continuity of care throughout the entire PICC placement and verification process.

Thank you for PICCing us!