Based on these findings, Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, the site of the study, determined that when the positioning system is used for PICC placements in patients with normal sinus rhythm, a confirmatory chest X-ray is not necessary.

"Our experience with the positioning system has been empowering in multiple ways," said Constance Girgenti, BSN, RN, VA-BC™, lead author of the article and the Vascular Access Coordinator at Presence Saint Joseph. "The system enables us to provide safer, timelier care for our patients, which is extremely important to us as clinicians. These excellent outcomes have continued, and it has been very satisfying to oversee the process from successful study to broader implementation."


Elizabeth Donnellan, RN, BSN, VA-BC™, co-authored the paper about the positioning system's use at Presence Saint Joseph. "Our vascular access team is one of the few in the country that has also expanded its practice to place central venous catheters, or CVCs," said Donnellan. "Now that we have established the effectiveness of the VPS G4™ System for PICCs, we expect to start using it with central lines. Our next goal is to eliminate confirmatory chest X-rays with CVCs."

The study results are important for several reasons:

Reduced radiation exposure. If accurate placements can be made without relying on a confirmatory X-ray, patients are spared the exposure to the associated radiation.

Avoidance of treatment delays. At many hospitals, it can take up to several hours to obtain a confirmatory X-ray, which delays treatment, and then have the X-ray read by a radiologist, which further delays treatment.

Reduced costs. Confirmatory X-rays, which are read by radiologists, add costs. So do malpositioned catheter tips, which require adjustment of the line position. The positioning system can eliminate confirmatory chest X-rays in most cases and also minimizes catheter malpositions.

Teleflex provided no financial support for this study other than supplying the device for the initial trial. The lead author has provided consulting to Teleflex regarding technologies other than ARROW VPS G4™.
About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety. Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 150 countries. Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained from the company's website at www.teleflex.com.

More HCB News