Vascular Access Team Overview
The Vascular Access team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center consists of three subgroups:
- Central Venous Catheter (CVC) nurses
- Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) nurses
- Peripheral Intravenous (PIV) nurses
Central Venous Catheter (CVC) nurses:
- Monitor all inpatients with vascular access devices (tunneled, non-tunneled, port, dialysis and PICCs)
- Develop and revise policies and procedures related to central venous catheters
- Evaluate new CVC products
- Conduct CVC research
- Educate, present and publish information regarding central venous catheters
- Troubleshoot central venous complications
PICC nurses:
- Assess patients referred for PICC placement
- Obtain informed consent for PICC insertion
- Insert PICC utilizing ultrasound guidance in collaboration with Interventional Radiology
Peripheral Intravenous (PIV) nurses:
- Place PIVs on patients with difficult access
- Educate staff related to PIV insertion, holding techniques and recognition of infiltration
- Assist CVC nurses in troubleshooting CVC occlusions
