Prevention and treatment of dehydration and exercise associated muscle cramps is important to the competitive athlete so there is not a decline in their athletic performance. IV prehydration and rehydration has been proposed as an ergogenic aid to achieve euhydration more effectively and efficiently.

ECG technology is on the stylet that in threaded through the PICC line on insertion. As the PICC tip passes into the lower part of the Superior Vena Cava you will see a spike in the p-wave and will reach max P-Wave. As the PICC tip passes past the Cavo-Atrial Junction you will note a deflection prior to the p-wave. The PICC tip is then pulled back until the deflection disappears. The images is printed and placed in the patient’s chart stating PICC tip was confirmed in the SVC by ECG technology.

A Midline is placed with ultrasound guidance in the upper arm and threaded so the tip ends prior to the mid axillary branch or if placed in the forearm the tip ends prior to the antecubital or bend of your arm. REMEMBER a Midline cannot be used for all types of IV medications and you will not always be able to draw blood work from a Midline.

A PICC line stands for a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. A PICC line is defined as a long IV that is inserted with ultrasound guidance in the upper arm and threaded to the superior vena cava, a large vessel by the heart, where the tip of the PICC line ends in your central circulation. The PICC line does not go into your heart or harm it in anyway. You may also have your blood drawn through the PICC line to eliminate further needle pokes during the duration of the infusion therapy.

A port and a PICC line are both types of central lines because the tip of both lines is located in the superior vena cava (SVC). A port is under the skin and you need a needle to poke through the skin the access the port. A benefit to a port is that you can shower when there is not needle in the port and not worry about an infection since it is under the skin but it needs to be placed by a specialized MD. A PICC line will have a catheter lumen (s) outside of the skin like a small IV so you can connect to the needed IV medications. There is a risk of infection when you shower so you must keep this covered and dry at all times. A nurse can place your PICC line at the bedside. You can draw blood from a PICC line or a Port for lab work.

It is important that the right device is placed in your patient for the IV therapy ordered. Choosing the right device involves looking at the type of drug ordered, the duration of therapy of that drug, the availability of the vessels seen on ultrasound, and the medical/surgical/vascular access history of that patient. Choosing the right device will decrease the risk of infection, infiltration and extravasation and prevent a delay in IV therapy.

Diabetics have trouble controlling their blood sugar. Steroids, like dexamethasone, can cause a spike in blood sugar levels by making the liver resistant to insulin. Usually once you are no longer taking steroids the blood sugars can easily be controlled. Vascular Access Plus does not provide steroid infusion options to diabetics or prediabetics without an order from their provider.

We cannot eliminate your pain, but we can minimize it. Our nurses are all experienced in starting an IV. Each nurse has a 2-stick limit when sticking a patient as well as Vascular Access Specialist on call as resources for troubleshooting and skills with ultrasound guidance for starting the IV 24/7.