American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 170, 1609-1611, Copyright © 1998 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Peripherally inserted central venous catheters: factors affecting patient satisfaction
JF Polak, D Anderson, K Hagspiel and J Mungovan
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
OBJECTIVE: We studied factors that affect satisfaction of patients who have
undergone placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters
(PICCs) by interventional radiologists and patients' willingness to undergo
placement of future PICCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This longitudinal
prospective consecutive cohort study included 85 patients referred for PICC
placement. A record was made of catheter type, time taken for placement,
patient age, and possible complications. Follow-up was obtained by
telephone interview to determine the effect of site of placement in the
arm, residence time of catheter, additional complications, and interference
with activities of daily living on patient willingness to undergo future
PICC placement at the same site. Logistic regression analysis was used to
determine factors statistically predictive of patient willingness to
undergo placement of future PICCs. RESULTS: Patients having PICCs placed
above the elbow were more often satisfied (55 of 61 respondents) with
catheter location than patients having placements at the elbow (three of 17
respondents). Patient willingness to undergo future PICC placement was
strongly related to catheter location (p < .0001) and interference with
activities of daily living (p < .0001). Catheter type, residence time,
time taken for the placement, age, and complications were not associated
with patient willingness to undergo future PICC placement. CONCLUSION: PICC
placement above the elbow is more acceptable to patients than placement at
the elbow. PICC placement above the elbow and patients' perception of less
interference by the PICC with activities of daily living are positively
related to patient willingness to undergo future PICC placement.