title: ECG-based PICC tip verification system: an evaluation 5 years on.
abstract: In 2011, the vascular access team at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust safely and successfully incorporated the use of electrocardiogram (ECG) guidance technology for verification of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) tip placement into their practice. This study, 5 years on, compared the strengths and limitations of using this ECG method with the previous gold-standard of post-procedural chest X-ray. The study was undertaken using an embedded case study approach, and the cost, accuracy and efficiency of both systems were evaluated and compared. Using ECG to confirm PICC tip position was found to be cheaper, quicker and more accurate than post-procedural chest X-ray.
authors: Vascular Access and Hospital-at-Home Matron, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent.
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Oliver
authors: Consultant Anaesthetist, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent.
authors: Matt
authors: M
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000451:nursing*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
keywords: Case study; Electrocardiogram; Intravenous; PICC; Peripherally inserted central catheter; Radiology