Regional West Medical Center's Vascular Access Team serves the growing number of patients who require long-term intravascular access devices (catheters).

What we do

The Vascular Access Team provides education and support to patients and their family members who will be involved in this self-care once they leave the hospital. Patients and family members are caring for their PICC lines at home now more than ever before and the need for education has become even more important.

The team also places mid-line intravenous catheters, which is an extended dwell time IV catheter that can stay in place for as long as 29 days. These catheters are placed via ultrasound-guided needle as well.

The team is also called for difficult IV starts. Numerous times these IVs are placed via ultrasound.

How we help

Our team works with unit nurses and health care providers to determine the appropriate vascular line for each patient. The advantage of the PICC line over other central venous catheters is that it can be in place for an indefinite period of time. PICC lines are placed using ultrasound to guide the needle. A radiologist will verify the tip placement prior to the use of the PICC catheter.

Many patients who have had a PICC line in the past request to have a PICC line placed when they are admitted to the hospital on subsequent visits. The advantages of a PICC line include:

• It can be used for an extended period of time.
• Most of the lab specimens can be drawn from the PICC line.
• It eliminates the need to restart a peripheral IV every three days for someone with poor veins.