How to Troubleshoot a PICC

A peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC, is a slender, flexible tube that is typically inserted into the upper arm and ends in a larger vein in the chest region, near the heart. It allows quick access within the circulatory system via a peripheral location, such as a limb. A PICC line offers a number of advantages, including long-term intravenous antiobiotic treatment, less invasive IV access, multiple accesses through one access line and chemotherapy. Regular inspection of a PICC line can help maintain proper functioning. A health care professional should be notified immediately in any unusual circumstances.

Things You'll Need

• Tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Tape the catheter in place if it begins to migrate. Indications of catheter migration include loose stitches or the catheter appearing farther out than originally positioned. Do not try to push the catheter back in. Contact a home health nurse.

• 2

  Clamp the catheter if the injection cap is loose. Blood leaking from the injection cap is indicative of a loose cap. Replace the injection cap with a new injection cap. Call a home health nurse immediately. If he tells you to, flush the catheter with saline or heparin.

• 3

  Inspect the line for damage if blood is leaking from the catheter. Fold and tape the catheter above a line break or cut. Contact a home health nurse immediately.