Informed Consent Example

Let’s take a look at this example. How would you handle it?

Example:

Does consent for a PICC line require special approval either through OLS or the DAIL Commissioners Office/Nurse Consultant prior to the assigned guardian giving consent? 

First, let’s go over what a PICC line is. 

PICC stands for peripherally inserted central catheter and may also be referred to as a central line.  

A PICC line is an IV that is used for administering certain medications or for long-term IV access. A PICC line is inserted peripherally, usually into the upper arm, neck, or groin, and extends into the larger veins near the heart, where the medication is disbursed into a large central vein.  

Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or vasopressor medications, used to increase blood pressure, are too caustic or damaging to be administered into small delicate veins using a regular IV.  

Some PICC lines can be in place for up to 30 days, while regular IVs should be replaced at least every 4 days. Some medications must be given long-term and require PICC line placement.

Most ICU patients have PICC lines placed because you can also draw blood from certain PICC lines and you can even monitor blood pressure through certain PICC lines.