title: Improving central placement rates of peripherally inserted catheters.
abstract: Recent advances in catheter technology and in the knowledge base of professionals in the practice of intravenous therapy have had a significant impact on patient care and improved outcomes. As professionals learn new techniques and monitor outcomes, they appropriately begin to question some traditional beliefs. One of the items that we monitor in our continuous quality improvement program is the number of malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheters immediately after insertion. By reviewing the literature and discussing procedures with the hospital radiologist, a new method for advancing peripherally inserted central catheters for tip placement in the superior vena cava was evaluated, obtaining excellent results.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: LaRue
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care