Display Patient Information Leaflets

Date issued: October 2024

For review: October 2026

Ref: C-596/SF/Vascular/Your Picc Line

PDF: Your Picc line.pdf [pdf] 284KB

Introduction

This article aims to provide support information about your Picc Line procedure and how to care for it once it has been inserted.

What is a Picc Line?

Picc stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. A Picc Line is a long, hollow and flexible tube that is inserted into one of the large veins in your arm.

Picc Lines are usually inserted into a vein just above the bend of your elbow and the tip sits in a large vein in your chest.

Picc Lines can stay in place for the duration of your planned treatment and do not routinely require replacement.

They can be single or double lumen.

Why do I need a Picc Line?

Your medical team will have recommended that you have a Picc Line inserted as part of the care you are receiving. This type of device is recommended for patients who have a prolonged course of intravenous treatment. This makes it possible for you to have treatment without having needles frequently inserted into your veins.

You can go home with a Picc Line and carry on your treatment.

What are the benefits of a Picc Line?

A Picc Line can make treatment more comfortable for you by:

• Allowing you to have the medication given directly into your veins.

• Reducing the irritation that certain drugs can cause to smaller veins.

• Preventing the need for multiple needle punctures.

• Preserving the long-term health of your veins.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

As a patient you need to do very little to prepare for the insertion of the Picc Line. When you arrive your doctor or nurse will discuss the insertion procedure, alternatives and potential problems with you. You will be offered an opportunity to discuss any issues and ask any questions with the clinician performing the procedure. You will normally be asked to provide consent for this procedure. Please inform your doctor or nurse of any allergies that you may have. You can eat and drink as normal.

Screening for MRSA and MSSA will be required for all patients prior to line insertion. This will be arranged by your medical team in the days leading up to your procedure.

You may be asked to use a special body wash prior to your procedure depending upon the results of these tests.

What happens when I have the Picc Line inserted?

An outpatient appointment at the hospital will be offered to you for the Picc Line insertion. Your line will be inserted in a procedure room. It is not an operation but the clinician inserting your Picc Line will treat it as a sterile procedure. They will use an ultrasound scanner to be able to find the best vein for the insertion. They will wear a gown and sterile gloves and will use sterile equipment. Your skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic, after which a sterile drape will be placed over your arm. Local anaesthetic is used to numb a small area of your skin before the Picc Line is inserted.

You will be wired up to an ECG, using a device called Pilot, to make sure the tip of the line sits in the right place, this way you don't require an x-ray to confirm this.

You can go home if you have an outpatient appointment and your Picc Line is ready to be used.

If you have any concerns or questions, please ask the Vascular Access Team. They will help you to clarify your concerns or questions.

Caring for your Picc Line

Appointments will be arranged for you to look after your Picc Line. This involves:

• Cleaning the insertion site and Picc Line with antiseptic and applying a clean dressing. This should be repeated every 7 days.

• Replacing the free connector with a new one every 7 days or more frequently if required when at home.

• Flushing the line with saline before and after each use. This is required to prevent the Picc Line becoming blocked.

The clinician performing your procedure will give you some information on how you can care for your Picc Line between appointments.

Blood clots (thrombosis):

It is possible for a blood clot to develop around the Picc Line. If a clot does form you may be given medication to break down the clot and your line may need to be removed. Contact your healthcare team immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: pain, swelling, discomfort or redness on the side of the insertion site.

Potential risks

Insertion:

It can sometimes be difficult to find a suitable vein or to get the Picc Line into the correct position. If this is the case, we may have to insert the Picc Line into a different vein or discuss alternative options with you.

Infection through the skin:

It is possible for an infection to develop inside or around the place where the Picc Line goes into the vein (this is the insertion site). Contact your healthcare team immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: pain, redness or swelling at the insertion site, discolored fluid coming out from the insertion site, a fever or chills.

Local bruising or bleeding in the insertion site:

It is common to experience some bruising or bleeding at the insertion site. Please inform us of any blood thinning medication you are taking before we insert the Picc Line, as this can increase your risk of bleeding (you do not usually have to stop taking this medicine before your procedure, your medical team will advise).

Vein inflammation (phlebitis):

Occasionally, the Picc Line may irritate the vein wall, which can cause pain and redness along the length of the vein. If this occurs, use a warm compress to encourage good blood flow around the line. If you have any concerns, please contact your healthcare team.

Dislodged line:

Review your Picc Line regularly. If the external part of the line appears longer or different in any way, please contact your healthcare team.

Break or split in the line:

It is important that the Picc Line is not broken or cut. Do not use scissors near your line. It is rare for a Picc Line to break or split, but if it does happen, contact your healthcare team immediately. The line may need to be removed and replaced.

Can I bathe or shower?

You can bathe or shower with a Picc Line in place. We ask that you try not to soak the dressing. The Picc Line should be covered with a waterproof covering such as clingfilm or a Limbo cover when taking a shower or bath (do not submerge the Picc Line). If the dressing is loose after your bath/ shower, it should be replaced.

If this happens you should contact the team responsible for your care.

You can get a sleeve cover by buying one yourself or getting a prescription from your GP.

Can I use the arm where the Picc Line has been inserted?

The arm with the Picc Line can be used as normal; this will increase blood circulation in that arm which helps medication to spread throughout the body. However, strenuous work, lifting heavy objects or repetitive motion should all be avoided. Never pull on the Picc Line.

Hand hygiene

You or any person caring for your Picc Line should wash their hands and put on gloves prior to handling it.

Dressing changes

Your Picc Line will be checked by the team looking after you when it is used or at routine appointments. It will be checked for signs of bleeding and oozing. If the dressing is wet or soiled it should be changed immediately. The dressing will be changed routinely every seven days, even if it appears clean and dry. If your dressing is wet or soiled and you are caring for your Picc Line at home, you should change the dressing immediately.

When and how will my Picc Line be removed?

Picc Lines are usually removed at the end of treatment. Rarely, they are removed because of problems. The dressing will be taken off, skin cleaned with antiseptic, the security device (Securacath) should be removed, and the line will be pulled out, usually with no discomfort. Then a small dressing will be applied that you can remove after 72 hours.

Any problems?

If your Picc Line is being managed at home by either yourself or a community team it is important that you contact the team that is caring for you to report any irregularities or complications such as swelling, redness, leakage or pain around the Picc Lline insertion site. If the Picc Line has partly pulled out, fix it in place with some tape. If the Picc Line has completely fallen out, cover the hole with either a sterile dressing or a clean towel for a few minutes and then apply a small sterile dressing, if it continues to bleed, carry on applying pressure. In all cases you must contact the team that is caring for you. You should then go to the Emergency Department immediately.

Contact details for advice:

Derriford Hospital: 01752 202082