picc line
Procedures
Instructed patient check your skin where the
catheter enters it every day. Look for signs of infection and other problems. Instructed patient call your health care provider if you: Have bleeding, redness or swelling at the PICC line or Midline site, have pain near the site or in your arm, have signs
of infection (fever, chills), are short of breath.
Skilled nurse performed PICC line dressing change , prepare to change your dressing in a sterile (very clean) way ,
Remove the dressing and check patient's skin, clean the area and catheter, place a new dressing, Tape the catheter to
secure it and write down the date you changed your dressing.
Instructed patient flush PICC line after and before the procedure, resistance to flushing may indicate partial or complete catheter occlusion. Do not proceed with power injection study until occlusion has been cleared.
Instructed patient it is very important to prevent infection, which might require removal of the PICC line. The nurse will show you how to keep your supplies sterile, so no germs will enter the catheter and cause an infection.
Instructed patient Home care nurses will teach you and help you become comfortable with the procedures before you do them yourself. These are the special things that need to be done preventing infection, flushing the PICC line, giving the medicine, solving problems, knowing when and who to call for help.
Instructed patient / caregiver blood pressure readings in the arm cannulated with the PICC should be avoided.
Instructed patient what should you know about
caring for your midline catheter: Loop extra tubing: If you have long tubing attached to your catheter, loosely loop the tubing
together, and secure it with tape. This will help prevent the PICC or midline catheter from being pulled out of your arm by
accident.
Instructed patient if you has a problem trouble flushing the PICC, unable to give medicines or fluid into catheter Unclamp it (if clamp is present). Remove the kink, if the catheter is not kinked or clamped, do not force the solution into the tube. Call the home care nurse to report the problem
Instructed patient the arm with the PICC is at risk for developing blood clots (thrombosis). This is a serious complication. To help prevent it avoid any activities that cause discomfort in your arm. Talk to your health care team if you have concerns about pain or range of motion.Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds with the affected arm. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps keep clots from forming.
Instructed patient about when should you seek
immediate help? Call nurse or go to the emergency room if: The area around where the catheter enters your skin looks red,
feels warm or painful, or it is oozing fluid. You see a red line going up your arm from the place where the catheter enters your
skin. Your arm will also be painful.