Public Health Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PERIPHERALLY-INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETERS IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS
SUMMARY: This act allows an intravenous (IV) therapy nurse employed or contracted by a nursing home that operates an IV therapy program to administer a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) as part of the home's IV therapy program. Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations allow only a physician to administer a PICC. A PICC is a tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the catheter tip ends in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access. DPH must adopt new regulations to implement the act.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2011
DEFINITIONS
Under the act, “administer” means to (1) initiate the venipuncture and deliver an IV fluid or IV admixture into the blood through a vein and (2) monitor and care for the venipuncture site, terminate the procedure, and record pertinent events and observations.
“IV therapy program” means a nursing home's overall plan to implement, monitor, and safeguard the administration of IV therapy to patients.
“IV therapy nurse” means a registered nurse qualified by education and training who has demonstrated proficiency in the theoretical and clinical aspects of IV therapy to administer an IV fluid or IV admixture.
The following terms are defined but are not subsequently referred to in the act. They appear in DPH's regulations on IV therapy programs in nursing homes:
1. “IV admixture” means an IV fluid to which one or more additional drug products have been added.
2. “IV fluid” means sterile solutions of 50 millimeters or more, intended for intravenous infusion, but does not include blood and blood products.
3. “IV therapy” means the introduction of an IV fluid or IV admixture into the blood through a vein to (a) correct water deficits and electrolyte imbalances, (b) provide nutrition, and (c) deliver antibiotics and other therapeutics approved by a nursing home's medical staff.
OLR Tracking: ND: RP: JL: ro