IMPROVE PICC
  • HOME
  • RESEARCH
    • Michigan Risk Score
    • CLABSI GPS
    • CLABSI Cost Calculator
    • MAGIC Webinar
    • Research Publications
  • MAGIC
    • MAGIC App
    • Learn More
    • Read the Study
  • RESOURCES
    • Multimedia
    • Slides & Handouts
    • Key Guidelines
  • Implementation
    • Tier II Toolkit >
      • CLABSI Toolkit
      • Occlusion Toolkit
      • DVT Toolkit
  • PARTNERS
    • Become A Partner
  • ABOUT
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Contact
  • Blog
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are known to be associated with complications, but how institutions can enact changes and policy to prevent adverse outcomes is less well known.

​In response, the Improve PICC team has developed strategies to implement plans to reduce complications. Each strategy, targeted towards addressing a specific complication, includes various steps. Each step includes a data gathering phase and a validation phase, where practices are compared to best practice and evidence. ​The steps are sequential so that the least resource consuming, most pragmatic and easiest to implement steps are early; the more costlier and time-consuming steps are later.

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!

Reducing rates of DVT

Reducing rates of Occlusion

Reducing Rates of CLABSI

  • HOME
  • RESEARCH
    • Michigan Risk Score
    • CLABSI GPS
    • CLABSI Cost Calculator
    • MAGIC Webinar
    • Research Publications
  • MAGIC
    • MAGIC App
    • Learn More
    • Read the Study
  • RESOURCES
    • Multimedia
    • Slides & Handouts
    • Key Guidelines
  • Implementation
    • Tier II Toolkit >
      • CLABSI Toolkit
      • Occlusion Toolkit
      • DVT Toolkit
  • PARTNERS
    • Become A Partner
  • ABOUT
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Contact
  • Blog