Any experience with hospital putting IV in artery in chest?
I'm not sure which category my question belongs, but during my mom's recent hospital stay the hospital did something that I don't think is right and I'd like others opinions on how to handle this in the future please. My 83 year old dad is the primary caregiver to my 80 year old mother with AD. Recently she fell at home and dad took her to ER where she was admitted for nearly one week. I noticed she was bruised on her arms from the IVs which makes me wonder why in the first place ... but, I went to visit her on the 4th day and noticed a small device on her chest. I asked dad what it was and he answered "Oh, the hospital staff said they had a hard time putting the IV in her arms, so they asked my permission to insert the IV directly into the artery in her heart and I gave them approval." I gasped. I never would have agreed to that. Mom seemed to be doing OK with it, so I didn't pursue it with the staff. She was released home two days later and is doing fine with no apparent negative results, but does anyone know why this was done? Did the hospital ever do this to your loved one? Can anyone provide any insight on what the heck that was, and how to deal with it because I have a bad feeling it will come up again? Thank you.
I was having several different IVs and blood draws every day. Getting the PICC line was uncomfortable but after it was in it was MUCH better than getting them in my arm.
It’s not really in an artery, I am thinking its in one of the veins in the chest.
It’s not a “PICC” but a “Port”. They use this type of access in cancer patients to give chemo, IV fluids if the patient is dehydrated, antibiotics if the patient is sick.
It doesn’t need a dressing either although it usually is covered by gauze or a tegaderm.
We had a family friend who had a PICC line for decades. She had to have IV 'feeding' daily and managed it herself.
Hubby's veins could not "hold" a regular IV and a PICC line can stay in a LOT longer. Hubby said it didn't hurt at all. (He was pretty stoned, to be honest).
Nothing to freak out about, but still, sure does make the patient look a lot sicker, doesn't it? I stayed in the room while they did both of hubby's, he seemed more at ease then when they were sticking him repeatedly in the arms.
Also, PICC lines have several "ports" and they can access them to add on more IV lines and also to do blood draws. Saving the poor patient from feeling like a pincushion.