Confirming PICC tip position during insertion with real-time information.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) play a fundamental role in patient care in a variety of clinical and healthcare settings. Tip location is important for both safety and efficacy. New technologies may offer the possibility of safer, more efficient and more effective insertion. A prospective evaluation was carried out of a system providing real-time information on the tip's location, direction, and depth during insertion in a total of 488 patients at a single centre (65 patients in the initial study, plus follow-on case series reports in 423 patients). No tip malpositions were reported and, as a result, the institution has been able to waive the requirement for confirmatory chest X-ray after PICC insertion, thus minimising the delay before the PICC can be used and increasing staff and patient confidence in the procedure.