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The Development of a Long Peripheral Catheter Program at a Large Pediatric Academic Center: A Pilot Study
Alina G Burek1,2, Jeff Parker3, Ryan Bentzien3
1Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and aburek@mcw.edu.
Hospital Pediatrics
|October 1, 2020
Summary
A new long peripheral catheter (LPC) program successfully reduced peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use in children. This pilot study showed LPCs are feasible for pediatric vascular access, with few serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric vascular access
- Medical device feasibility studies
- Healthcare program implementation
Background:
- Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are common in pediatric care but associated with complications.
- A significant percentage of PICCs may not meet criteria for central access, suggesting overuse.
- Alternative vascular access devices are needed to improve patient safety and resource utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing a long peripheral catheter (LPC) program in a pediatric academic center.
- To evaluate the potential of LPCs to reduce the utilization of PICCs and associated complications.
- To establish a multidisciplinary framework for the successful integration of LPCs into clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A literature review and baseline data analysis informed program design.
- A multidisciplinary committee developed and implemented the LPC program.
- Data collection included insertion success rates, complication rates, and catheter dwell times for LPCs.
Main Results:
- The LPC program placed 20 LPCs in 19 pediatric patients with a high insertion success rate (83%).
- No serious complications like venous thrombosis or bloodstream infections were reported.
- Minor complications occurred at a 35% rate, including occlusions (10%) and dislodgement (25%), with a mean dwell time of 6 days.
Conclusions:
- Long peripheral catheters (LPCs) are a viable option for durable vascular access in hospitalized children.
- The successful pilot implementation of an LPC program at an academic pediatric hospital demonstrates its feasibility.
- LPC programs can play a role in optimizing vascular access strategies for pediatric patients.
