Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are routinely placed in hospitalized patients who are receiving long-term IV antibiotics or who have poor venous access. In our hospital, 1 in 12 patients on the Medicine service receives a PICC line at some point during a hospitalization. 35% of all hospital-acquired venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) on the Medicine [...]

Background: The University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) fails to meet the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) benchmarks for central line utilization rates and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are central lines that are overused and misused at UCH. Overuse of PICC lines increases the risks of CLABSI and PICC-associated deep [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted center catheter (PICC) use is associated with many complications including thromboembolism. The role of pharmacological prophylaxis in prevention of PICC line related thromboembolism is controversial. In our study,we assessed the role of pharmacological prophylaxis in the prevention of PICC line related thromboembolic complication. Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records in our center [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted peripheral catheter (PICC) use is associated with many complications including line related thromboembolism. Several studies and meta- analyses confirmed the increased risk to develop venous thromboembolism in non-O blood group patients. We wanted to assess the association between PICC line related thromboembolism and the ABO blood group. Methods: Our study sample consisted [...]