The aim of the Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) initiative is to formally assess appropriate uses of PICCs, identify factors associated with complications, and improve the safety of hospitalized medical patients by eliminating unnecessary PICC use and preventing complications. While PICCs offer several benefits to patients and providers, they are invasive devices that are known to be associated with two of the most costly and morbid complications in hospitalized patients: central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). HMS seeks to decrease unnecessary PICC use and PICC-related complications by:
- ensuring that patients do not have PICCs in for less than 5 days.
- increasing the use of single-lumen PICCs in non-ICU patients.
- reducing PICCs placed in patients with an eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) <45 (without Nephrology approval).
- reducing the use of triple lumen PICCs and those in for less than 5 days in oncology patients.
- reducing the use of triple-lumen PICCs in critical care patients.
Click HERE to access the HMS PICC Toolkits
PICC Tier 1 Webinar Presentation Slides
PICC Tier 2 Webinar Presentation Slides
HMS works closely with key partners around the globe to achieve these goals. Therefore, in addition to our generous support from our sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and Blue Care Network (BCN), HMS has partnered with the following national organizations to drive this initiative:
- Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research (AVATAR Group)
- Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC)
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- PICC Brazil Research Group
