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Physician Referral Service: 888/689-UCSF
Your Health Matters
PICC (Peripherally Inserted
Central Catheter)
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Your doctor has recommended that you have a PICC (Peripherally
Inserted Central Catheter). This may be due to your treatment
requiring frequent administration of medications and/or fluids
directly into your bloodstream, frequent blood tests, or difficulty
gaining other IV access.
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What is a PICC?
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A PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a type of IV line
that is made of soft, flexible material. It is inserted into one of the
larger deep veins in your upper
inner arm, usually just above
the bend of your elbow,
and then floated into
a large vein above
your heart called the
Superior Vena Cava.
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PICC
PICC line enters body here
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Heart
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Illustration taken from
CancerHelp UK, the patient
information website of
Cancer Research UK:
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Why are PICCs used?
• Hydration
• IV antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Nutrition
• Frequent blood tests
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• Difficult IV access
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• Long term IV therapy
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• Blood products (greater than one week up to 1 year)
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Who inserts the PICC?
PICCs are placed by specially trained nurses or physicians.
Where does the procedure take place?
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Usually, PICC insertion is done in your hospital room. In certain
situations, you will be taken to the Interventional Radiology Suite
for this procedure.
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How is the PICC inserted?
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•You will be asked to lie flat in bed and relax with one arm
extended out to the side. The inserter will use an ultrasound
probe to look at the deep vessels in your upper arm and mark
the insertion site. You will be measured for custom fitting of
your PICC line.
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•This is not surgery but it is a sterile procedure, so your arm will
be cleaned and prepped and everything will be covered with
sterile drapes.
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•Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, is used to numb the insertion
site. The lidocaine can feel like a bee sting and most patients
report this as being the most uncomfortable part of the entire
procedure.
•Much like a regular IV, a needle is used to access the selected
vein and is then removed when your PICC line is gently
threaded into the vein. A special sensor device may be placed
on your chest to help the inserter guide your PICC into position.
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•Once in place, your PICC is secured to your skin with sutures
or an adhesive device and covered with a sterile dressing.
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•You can expect this procedure to last about 45 minutes
to an hour.
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•Finally, a chest X-ray will be taken to verify your PICC’s tip
position is ok for use.
Are there any risks during the insertion?
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How is the PICC removed?
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Possible complications that may occasionally occur during
insertion include the following: veins too small, difficulty
advancing into proper position due to anatomical issues, arterial
puncture, bleeding, nerve irritation, and incorrect tip position.
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When you no longer need your PICC it will be removed by a
specially trained nurse or physician. It will gently be pulled out
just like a regular IV and pressure will be held at the insertion site
if there is any bleeding. Usually, this simple painless procedure
takes a few minutes.
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PICC Line Do’s and Don’ts
•Do wash your hands before handling your PICC
•Do keep your PICC dressing clean and dry
•Do cover your PICC before showering to keep it clean
and dry
•Do keep connection port(s) capped at all times
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•Do speak with your nurse or doctor if you have any
questions or concerns
•Don’t pull your PICC out yourself
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•Don’t submerge your PICC in water
(no swimming, hot tubs, etc)
•Don’t allow blood pressures to be taken over your PICC
•Don’t use any pins, scissors, or other sharp objects
near your PICC
•Don’t engage in strenuous activity or contact sports as
your PICC may be damaged or pulled
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If you are being discharged from the hospital with
your PICC, a member of your healthcare team will give
you specific instruction on how to care for your PICC and
who will be available to help if necessary. Be sure to keep
any PICC information you receive with you at all times in
case of emergency. The following chart lists some potential
problems that may sometimes occur. Please contact your
healthcare provider with any further questions.
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Problem
Possible
cause
What to do and how to
avoid the problem
•Fever, chills
•Infection
•Check temperature
(normal 37°C or 98.6°F)
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•Tenderness, •Thrombus
redness, or
(blood clot)
pus at site
•Phlebitis
•Swelling of
(vein
arm or at
irritation)
site
•Call IV nurse or doctor
•Avoid infection with
strict hand washing
•Do not push it
back in!
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•PICC
•Line not
properly
accidentally
comes out
secured
completely
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•Place a sterile gauze
pad on the site and
press down firmly until
bleeding has stopped
(2–5min)
•Put sterile transparent
dressing over site
•Call IV nurse or doctor
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•Avoid by securing
device at all times
•Do not push it
back in!
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•External
•Line has
PICC length
been
increased
partially
pulled out
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•Place pressure on site
if bleeding
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•Keep covered with
sterile gauze/dressing
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•Avoid by securing
device at all times
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•Call IV nurse or doctor
•Whooshing
sound in
ear when
flushing
•Line may
•Stop flushing and
have moved
clamp the line
or migrated •Call IV nurse or doctor
•May need X-ray
and repositioning or
replacement
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•New
sensation
in neck,
chest, jaw,
ear on PICC
side when
flushing
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•Line may be •Do not forcefully flush!
clamped
•Ensure clamp is open
•Line may be •Check for visible kinks
kinked
in tubing
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•Difficulty
flushing
or infusing
medication
•Line may be •Change caps as
clotted
directed
•Call IV nurse or doctor
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•Avoid by flushing as
directed after each use
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PICC Information
To be filled out by PICC Team member
Patient Name: _______________________________________
Date of Insertion:_____________________________________
Inserted by:__________________________________________
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PICC Lot #___________________________________________
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Vessel used:_________________________________________
Number of lumens: 1 2 3
Catheter size: 3 4 5 French
Catheter trimmed at: _______cm
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External catheter length: _______cm
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Arm circumference: _______cm
(measured 2cm above PICC insertion site)
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Access our patient education library online at www.ucsfhealth.org
Notes
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4SDGEN0270 Rev. 4/10