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The Foundation for Knox Community Hospital contributes $13,500 to Knox Community Hospital for Ultrasound and Tip Locator for PICC Lines
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| L to R: Jill Hunter, RN, Director, Intensive Care Unit; Tom Fosnaught, Chairperson, The Foundation for Knox Community Hospital and Board Member, The Community Foundation for Mount Vernon and Knox County, Mandy Holt, RN; Elizabeth Lewis, RN; Kris Robinson, RN; Lea Thorton, RN. |
Mount Vernon, OH - With a generous contribution of $13,500 from the Foundation for Knox Community Hospital, the hospital was able to purchase an Ultrasound and Tip Locator for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, also known as PICC Lines. A PICC line is a small, flexible tube that is longer and thinner than a regular intravenous catheter. It is inserted in one of the veins near a patient’s elbow to allow for easy administration of medications or other fluids without repeated needle sticks.
A PICC line is used when a person needs intravenous medication, chemotherapy, or fluids for an extended period of time, typically 2 – 12 months. The most common uses for a PICC line are for giving antibiotics and chemotherapy. It is also used when someone requires frequent blood sampling. PICC lines can be used in both the hospital and home setting.
Many medications can cause damage to smaller veins in the arms, so they must be delivered into the larger veins in the chest. Using a needle and guided by ultrasound, a healthcare professional inserts the PICC line into a vein located in the arm near the patient’s elbow. From there it is threaded into a larger vein in the chest. Once the catheter is in place, the catheter site is covered with a sterile dressing and the catheter is securely taped to the person's skin. A chest x-ray is performed to confirm correct placement of the PICC line.
PICC line insertion is a new service now being offered at KCH Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The need was identified by both physicians and nursing staff as many of our patients were being discharged with ongoing needs for long term intravenous medication therapy. These patients had to either be sent to another facility to have the PICC line placed or have multiple intravenous sticks for administration of their medications and for blood sampling. “We are excited that the Foundation was able to partner with us on this new service so patients will no longer have to experience these issues” stated Sandy Beidelschies, MSN, RN, VicePresident of Patient Care Services.
The PICC team currently consists of 4 KCH nurses that have completed extensive training on insertion and care of the PICC line. They are Mandy Holt, Elizabeth Lewis, Kris Robinson, and Lea Thornton.
The Foundation for Knox Community Hospital is a not for profit organization established to unite our community in the support of our hospital. Generous contributions from community members help to meet the growing healthcare challenges of our growing and aging population.
For more information on making on a contribution to The Foundation for Knox Community Hospital
please contact Carol Garner at (740) 393-9685.
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