More patients receiving vital IV treatment closer to home, thanks to new technology at Upper River Valley Hospital

(WATERVILLE) – Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) is now offering more patients access to intravenous treatment using peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines closer to home, thanks to the installation of new ultrasound technology and the commitment of clinical teams in Waterville and Fredericton.

PICC lines are long, thin tubes inserted into a vein in the arm and guided toward larger veins near the heart. They’re used to deliver long-term intravenous treatment – such as antibiotics, chemotherapy or nutrition – for patients with cancer, infections, or gastrointestinal conditions.

The new BD Site-Rite™ ultrasound machine, equipped with the Sherlock 3CG™ Diamond Tip Confirmation System, was installed at URVH in February 2025. It allows clinicians to insert PICC lines with greater ease and precision, both at the bedside and in an ambulatory care setting, reducing the need for patients to travel to Fredericton for the procedure.

“This service means we can now provide a vital form of care closer to home for our patients, especially those in oncology or with chronic illnesses who often require long-term treatment and frequent procedures,” said Gillian Gillies, Horizon’s Clinical Director, Ambulatory Care Programs. “Avoiding travel to Fredericton reduces stress and supports the overall well-being of our patients and their families.”

The advanced system lets clinicians view the procedure in real time and use the patient’s heart rhythm to guide the catheter tip, reducing the need for confirmatory X-rays and making the experience faster and safer.

Already, nearly 40 PICC insertions have been completed at URVH since the equipment was introduced, demonstrating the immediate impact this technology is having on access to care in the region.

In comparison, approximately 70 patients from the Upper River Valley area had to travel to Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH) in Fredericton for the same procedure in 2024.

Expanding access to PICC line insertions at URVH supports Horizon’s strategic pillar of delivering excellence in hospital care and transforming the way clinical services are delivered to meet the evolving needs of New Brunswickers.

Horizon is proud of the clinical staff who completed specialized training to make this local service expansion possible.

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