title: Nurse-driven interventional technology. A cost and benefit perspective.
abstract: The article describes the institution of a cost-effective, efficient, nurse-driven advanced intervention for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement using microintroducers and venous ultrasound. Obstacles are identified and steps taken to overcome these obstacles are described. The importance of gathering support from key groups including the i.v. Team is discussed. Results showed a significant cost savings and additional benefits. Nurse-driven interventional technology is a positive advancement in the placing of PICCs.
authors.affiliation: IV Team/Diagnostic Services, Veteran's Administration Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Tacoma, Washington, USA. frogprince1@earthlink.net
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Royer
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000639:trends; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans