PICU Patient Needs Additional Vascular Access describes how a Vascular Wellness clinician, who was called to assist with vascular access and shortly after departure was recalled to the PICU for an emergent situation regarding the same patient whose condition had changed suddenly and rapidly, created additional vascular access. Nurse Clinicians in Action is a spotlight series highlighting some of the interesting cases that Vascular Wellness clinicians have encountered and participated in treatment. These cases involve challenging situations or intriguing clinical presentations and may involve more than one Vascular Wellness clinician as our clinicians have the ability to consult each other while in the field, as well as an on-call Clinical Administrator via a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) compliant communication app. In addition, our extensive training program and diverse client base, including Level 1 Trauma Centers, Short Term Acute Care Hospitals, Long Term Acute Care Hospitals, and Skilled Nursing Facilities, provide our clinicians with a wide array of clinical experience and why we believe our clinicians, as a group, are the most experienced and best trained and supported vascular access clinicians.
PICU Patient Needs Additional Vascular Access
– Clinical Case
This case occurred in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with a two-month-old infant suffering from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and pneumonia. Unfortunately, the infant’s condition required intubation to assist with breathing and therefore required peripheral IV access. The PICU nurses attempted to gain vascular access using near-infrared visualization assistance without success. At that point, a Vascular Wellness clinician was called to place an Ultrasound-Guided PIV, which was achieved without incident. After the Vascular Wellness clinician confirmed the line was ready for use, she departed. The infant began receiving therapy, including critical care medications. Unfortunately, shortly after, the infant’s condition again declined, and additional vascular access was necessary for the use of Vasopressors. The pediatric intensivist attempted both femoral and internal jugular access without success. Smaller veins of a pediatric patient can make achieving vascular access more difficult.
PICU Patient Needs Additional Vascular Access
– Diagnosis and Treatment
Recognizing that this was a crucial period for the infant’s survival, the pediatric intensivist, who was already familiar with the capabilities of the Vascular Wellness team, called back. The Vascular Wellness field clinician who had just recently departed was made aware of the emergent condition and immediately returned to the hospital. The atmosphere was tense in the PICU, but the clinician, relying on her experience, training, and expertise, was able to conduct a rapid ultrasound scan on the infant and determined that a left-sided internal jugular CVC could be placed safely. The line was placed on the first attempt without complication, and additional therapies began immediately. Grateful for the clinician’s prompt response and expert skillset, the intensivist called to thank the clinician and report that the infant made a full recovery and was discharged home.
Vascular Access Specialists
– Key Points
Vascular Wellness provides vascular access expertise in a variety of settings and patient conditions. Our team of Vascular Access Specialists is responsive, professionally trained, and highly skilled. Our clinician’s expertise often gets utilized successfully after failed attempts by other clinicians. We have a greater than 98 percent success rate with zero (0) insertion-related infections and a three-hour average response time, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and this includes standard and advanced lines as well as challenging cases such as this one and others described in our NCIA case summaries. We are passionate about advancing healthcare and our commitment to our clients and patients. In this instance, the callback and quick response saved a life. Our clients know our clinicians have the problem-solving skillsets to assist in critical situations, and they do not hesitate to reach out to our team. In return, we provided our clients and their patients with the highest level of specialized vascular access care in the region. In this case, the quick call placed by the intensivist, combined with our vascular access specialist’s expertise, critical thinking, and problem-solving skillset, prevented a critical situation from worsening. Timely vascular access is a cornerstone treatment modality for ill patients of any age to return to health.
Our Vascular Access Specialists have placed hundreds of thousands of lines, and it is this diverse, aggregate experience that is incorporated into our best practices and methodology. Our experience enables us to assess a situation and patient properly, and if a patient is contraindicated for a specific central line, we will find another safe, viable, clinically appropriate option. It is important to keep in mind that pediatric patients require specialized care for optimal outcomes. Their anatomy and physiology differ from adult patients, and our clinicians are trained to manage those differences and obtain access even in complex situations such as this one. In addition, our consultative approach with the treating physician allows for a collaborative relationship that results in better patient outcomes, reduced costs, and lives saved.
If you require Vascular Access or want to learn more, speak to the team at Vascular Wellness today. For the latest articles and insights, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Vascular Wellness Serves North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Expanding to Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Vascular Wellness provides:
(1) Comprehensive vascular access services to North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia;
(2) Customized vascular access services to Tennessee and Georgia; and
(3) Support vascular access services to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky
