A Nurse-Driven Peripherally Inserted Central CatheterTeam Exhibits Excellence Through Teamwork

Studies have demonstrated that a dedicated peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) team can reduce costs, lead to efficient use ofstaff time, improve patient outcomes, and improve organizational performance. A dedicated, nurse-driven PICC team at the authors'facility has demonstrated excellence through teamwork. Over the past three years, the PICC team has made significant strides in the quality ofservice provided to patients. The goals ofthe team consisted of (1) improving PICC-placement success rates; (2) developing an electronic database to track patient outcomes; (3) constructing protocols and guidelines to improve efficiency, appropriate use of PICC lines, and patient safety; and (4) pursuing collaborative research projects, publications, and presentations at the local and national level.