Neonatal peripherally inserted central catheter team. Evolution and outcomes of a bedside-nurse-designed program

Abstract

Percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) have been used to provide central venous access for more than 25 years. Although these lines initially were placed by physicians, currently there are many adult, pediatric, and neonatal nurse-based PICC teams. This article describes the inception and growth of 1 team which, during the last 14 years, has placed more than 3400 catheters and trained more than 50 bedside nurses to insert PICCs. It highlights the development of the team, including details of how team members were selected and trained. Management of ongoing issues was handled by a self-directed nurse team organized into a committee structure composed of an oversight committee and education, guideline, qualifications, and quality improvement subcommittees. This team set and achieved the goals of training bedside nurses to place PICCs, providing consistent management of PICCs, and closely monitoring outcomes.