Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

The increase in PICC and Midline installation is correlated to a growing demand of knowledge and skills by the nursing staff. To specialize in this clinical setting, nurses can take part to different training courses which strengthen technical skills and theoretical knowledge. The variety of training courses and inequality in teaching methods and especially in the offered learning contents highlight the lack of uniformity in nurses’ training. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the minimal requirements necessary that a nurse must have, when taking part to a training course about installation and management of these devices. The analysis of literary sources as well as the data from a small survey of 13 Italian training courses have identified what the minimal requirements could be. A good knowledge of these devices and all their features is necessary to make a conscious choice when the positioning of these catheters is indicated. A special nurse needs to know how to perform with mastery the insertion technique and long- term management catheters techniques, how to use the ultrasound, which is now widely employed for placement of these devices, how to find out the main complications that could arise and how to prevent them. A nurse must know also organizing aspects of the procedure and the legal responsibilities. Last, but not least, an important aspect is the effective communication in the relationship between nurse and patient, which is the greatest resource to ensure a complete and effective assistance in the care process. Responding to the growing health needs we must invest more and more in training to create qualified and competent staff.