Clinical and economic impact of vascular access teams utilizing an IC-ECG-based tip confirmation system for...

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are commonly used in clinical practice. Historical PICC placement methods (e.g. fluoroscopy-guided placement or blind insertion with confirmatory chest X-ray) have many limitations and are associated with longer wait times, treatment delays, and potential risks to patient safety. One such way of addressing some of these issues is the use of dedicated systems that integrate ultrasound vessel selection and PICC insertion, magnetic catheter tip navigation, and intracavitary electrocardiogram-based tip confirmation (IC-ECG). The uptake of these systems has been slow in some parts of the world. This narrative review aims to assess the clinical and economic value of an integrated IC-ECG based tip confirmation system for PICC placement.

This review article will focus on the scientific literature discussing the bedside application and benefits of an IC-ECG-based tip confirmation system (Sherlock 3CG™), specifically for PICC placement. These systems can be associated with greater efficiency, improved safety outcomes, fewer exposures to ionizing radiation from fluoroscopy and X-ray confirmation, shortened procedure times, and increased procedural accuracy when compared with other historical methods.

Based on this review, the authors found that an IC-ECG based tip confirmation system can offer safe, effective, and cost-saving bedside PICC placement compared to conventional PICC placement methods.