In partnership with the Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety Consortium, we have developed online toolkits targeted towards managing and reducing PICC complications in three specific areas:

  • PICC-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or thromboembolism
    • The DVT toolkit steps will focus on the life-cycle of the catheter: appropriate insertion and tip verification, appropriate diagnostic testing, technology-based solutions and line necessity evaluations. For each of these elements, specific guidance and recommendations will be provided.
  • Catheter Occlusion
    • The Occlusion toolkit will introduce a series of tools aimed at quantifying and understanding why PICC occlusions occur, followed by targeted approaches to reduce this adverse event. Each of the interventions listed below should be adapted sequentially in order to attain the most benefit. The tools will focus on (a) assessment of drivers of occlusion; (b) the CLOT (Catheter flush, Lumens, Optimal Access, Tip) tool to prevent and/or treat occlusion; and (c) interventions aimed at reducing rates of occlusion.
  • PICC-related bloodstream infections
    • The CLABSI toolkit will also focus on the life-cycle of the catheter: appropriate insertion, care and maintenance, technology-based solutions, line necessity evaluations and culturing stewardship. For each of these elements, specific guidance and recommendations will be provided.
Within each complication area, there are a list of steps with associated details and resources, including peer reviewed articles, videos, fliers and handouts for staff, patient education resources, and audit forms. For each step within the toolkit, key institutional partners are identified. These are people you will want to engage in this work. We recommend progressing through the toolkits in a stepwise approach.​ Click on the buttons below to get started!