How to Troubleshoot a Leaking PICC

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter is a long thin tube that is inserted in a patient's peripheral vein, usually the upper arm, and then advanced through until is reaches the main vein opening of the heart, the superior vena cava. It is considered an intravenous access point for health care professionals to administer medication in patients who require: long-term antibiotics, Total Parenteral Nutrition, chemotherapy, multiple administrations of blood products or to establish a line with multiple access ports for medications that can interact with each other. One of the risks of inserting a PICC line includes leakage at the insertion site which may be caused by "loss of elasticity of the skin at the site, outward migration of the catheter, or rupture of the catheter," according to the PICC Line Nursing website.

Things You'll Need

• PICC line

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Instructions

Troubleshooting suggestions

• 1

  Check that the cap on the PICC line is screwed on tightly as fluid may leak from this site. If not, screw cap on tightly and recheck for leaks.

• 2

  Assess whether there is a tear in the line that is causing the leak. If one is detected, fold the line over to clamp the fluid and report this to the appropriate health care professional.

• 3

  Determine whether the skin around the insertion site has lost its elasticity.

• 4

  Check the line to make sure it has not migrated out of the site. The line should be taped to the site after insertion to avoid outward migration.