title: Peripherally inserted central catheters and their use in i.v. therapy.
abstract: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) can adequately and safely meet the needs of patients who require short- to long-term therapy in many clinical settings. Moreover, PICCs have been successfully used in the delivery of i.v. therapy in the patient's home. There is evidence available which indicates that a PICC can minimize the trauma to patients who undergo multiple, repeated cannulations. PICCs can also reduce catheter-related risks such as thrombophlebitis, infection and insertion-related complications. The use of PICCs has been shown to be clinically effective as well as cost-effective. In many centres nurses are leading developments in IV therapy. In order to ensure that high quality, clinically effective patient care is developed, patients must undergo thorough assessment before device selection.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Services, Ipswich Hospital.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors