title: Hospitalist experiences, practice, opinions, and knowledge regarding peripherally inserted central catheters: results of a national survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A Michigan survey found variation in hospitalist-reported experience, practice, opinions, and knowledge related to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Whether these findings reflect a national trend is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate self-reported PICC practice among adult hospitalists in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Society of Hospital Medicine-administered, anonymous, Web-based survey of practicing, adult, non-Michigan hospitalists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2112 hospitalists who were sent an electronic invitation, 381 completed the online survey (18%). Eighty-six percent of hospitalists reported having placed a PICC solely for venous access (vs specific indications such as long-term antibiotics or parenteral nutrition). Eighty-two percent reported having cared for a patient who specifically requested a PICC. Only 25% of hospitalists reported examining PICCs for evidence of external problems, whereas 57% admitted to having, at least once, forgotten about the presence of a PICC. Only 9% of respondents knew that PICC tip verification was performed primarily to prevent venous thromboembolism. Finally, 42% of participants indicated that 10% to 25% of PICCs placed in their hospitals might be inappropriately placed and/or avoidable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This national survey highlights several potential opportunities to improve hospitalist PICC practices. A research agenda dedicated to this issue is necessary to improve patient safety and hospital-based practice.
authors.affiliation: Patient Safety Enhancement Program and the Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Latoya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Flanders
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saint
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Krein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D014481:United States