British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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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. ⋯ 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.
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In the hospital environment, patients can deteriorate rapidly and for many different reasons. Maintaining a patient's breathing is the main priority in any emergency situation, although achieving airway control can be difficult. ⋯ The key is a thorough assessment to ensure first of all whether the airway is patent (open and clear) or not. This article will discuss airway management, both acute and chronic, as well as associated nursing care.