PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Donovan, Murray S.
AU  - Thomas, Kevin D.
AU  - Davis, Daniel C.
AU  - Hawkins, Kathy
AU  - Harris, Debra S.
TI  - Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Placement and Use in a Family Practice Hospital
AID  - 10.3122/jabfm.9.4.235
DP  - 1996 Jul 01
TA  - The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
PG  - 235--240
VI  - 9
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/9/4/235.short
4100  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/9/4/235.full
SO  - J Am Board Fam Med1996 Jul 01; 9
AB  - Background: The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is increasingly used in protracted intravenous therapy. The device has several advantages for family practice, but its use has been chiefly described in nursing and interventional radiology literature. We investigated the use of the PICC in a family practice teaching hospital. Methods: Forty PICCs were inserted from 1993 to 1995 in 29 patients. Available records and radiographs were reviewed for indication, nature of placement attempts, indwelling time, PICC role in therapy, and attendant complications. Results: Successful placement was achieved in 95 percent of instances requiring PICC use. Fluoroscopically guided placement, usually without venography, was found to be preferable to unguided bedside placement. In a few cases in which PICCs were placed, no other access was subsequently required to complete therapy. Few clinically serious complications were encountered. Most complications were related to placement at bedside. Conclusions: Our experience supports the PICC as a minimally invasive, economical alternative for protracted intravenous therapy. Fluoroscopically guided placement was found preferable to unguided bedside placement. Physicians ordering or placing PICCs should understand fully how to assess placement.