(J3) General Session: PICCing the best PICC: Uncovering the Role of PICC Materials and Design to Reduce Harm

Monday, October 16, 2023

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM PT

Location: Oregon Ballroom

Earn 1 CE

Presenter(s)

Amanda Ullman, RN PhD

Professor and Chair in Paediatric Nursing
The University of Queensland and Childrens Health Queensland
South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

PDF of Slides

Co-Presenter(s)

Deanne L. August, PhD (she/her/hers)

Research Fellow
University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Tenerife, Queensland, Australia

Disclosure(s):

Amanda Ullman, RN PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Deanne L. August, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

The last 40 years have seen a rapid acceleration in peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use, but also a growing recognition of the complications that may result. In recognition, innovators have developed exciting new PICC material and design technologies. This session will review the science surrounding PICC materials and design, explore recent studies, and review how these new technologies may impact the prevention of infections, thromboses and occlusive events. We will debut the results of the world's first head-to-head comparison of simple polyurethane, hydrophobic and chlorhexidine-impregnated PICCs recently completed in Australia, involving over 1,000 adults and children across three large, tertiary hospitals.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the evolution of PICC materials and design since their inception
Identify the underpinning principles between new PICC materials and design technologies, and the reduction of infections, thromboses and occlusive events
Evaluate the evidence comparing PICC materials and design
Apply this evidence to your clinical decision-making