UNDERSTANDING YOUR PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)

 

Please carry the identification card that was given to you when your catheter was inserted. This provides identifying catheter information for your healthcare providers.

If you have life threatening concerns please call 911.

For questions or problems, please call your designated Outpatient Treatment Center or Homecare
Agency listed below:

Name__________________________________________Phone________________________________________     

PICC Care
•    The dressing is changed every 7 days or sooner if it becomes wet, dirty, or loose in any way.
•    The cap is changed every 7 days.
•    PICC lines are flushed every 7 days when not in use.
•    Do not have blood pressures checked on the arm that your PICC is in.
•    Do not have any lab draws in the arm that your PICC is in.
•    Keep the dressing clean and dry at all times

Flushing
□ A healthcare provider will be flushing my PICC.
□ I (or a caregiver) will be flushing my PICC at home.

Steps for Flushing Your PICC:
1.  Wash your hands

•    Use soap and warm water or with alcohol-based hand gel.
•    Only touch your PICC with clean hands or when wearing gloves to protect yourself from infection.

2.  Remove air from the syringe
3.  Disinfect the injection cap(end of the catheter)

•    If a Green cap is present, remove it from the injection cap
•    If a Green cap is not present, scrub the top and sides of the injection cap with an alcohol wipe for 15 seconds and allow to dry completely.

4.  Attach the syringe being sure that the syringe is correctly screwed onto the injection cap

5.  Inject the flushing solution

•    Open the clamp, if present
•    Push the plunger in slowly and smoothly. Do not force the plunger. Stop and call your healthcare provider if you feel any pressure/pain/swelling when pushing the fluid into the catheter.
•    YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO USE FORCE TO FLUSH YOUR CATHETER

6.  Finish flushing

•    Close the clamp, if there is one.
•    Remove the flush syringe and dispose.

 

Tips for Difficulty Flushing:

•    If a clamp is present, make sure it is unclamped.
•    Change your body or arm position, take a deep breath and cough. Try to flush again.
•    Replace syringe making sure syringe is correctly twisted onto injection cap and try again.
•    If you still cannot flush, call your healthcare provider/homecare agency.
 
Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What if I have sudden chest pain or shortness of breath?

•    CALL 911. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.
•    Air may have entered your catheter or you may be having a non-catheter related condition.
•    Clamp catheter, if clamp present, or fold the catheter back on itself and apply a rubber band.
•    Lie down on left side.

 

2.  What if I suspect signs of infection?

•    Call your healthcare provider/homecare agency
•    Signs/symptoms of infection: Fever, chills, swelling, oozing, or foul odor from site, pain or heat at the insertion site, flu-like symptoms, tenderness or swelling in the arm or chest on catheter side

 

3.  What if there is blood around the insertion site?

•    Some bleeding is common for the first 24 hours.
•    If bleeding persists after 24hrs, apply pressure and contact your healthcare provider/homecare agency

 

4.  What if I have swelling, pain or tingling in my neck, chest or fingers on catheter side?

•    Call your healthcare provider/homecare agency and alert them of your symptoms.
•    This could be a blockage in your vein that can be treated.

 

5.  What if the catheter seems to be pulling out?

•    Call your healthcare provider/homecare agency if you suspect the line is slipping out or has been pulled out.

 

6.  What if my dressing gets wet, dirty, loosens or comes off?

•    Call your healthcare provider/homecare agency as soon as possible
•    DO NOT remove the dressing.
•    The dressing will need to be changed to prevent infection or complications with the line.

 

7.  What if my injection end cap falls off?

•    If clamp present, make sure it is clamped.
•    Clean the end of catheter with an alcohol wipe.
•    Apply a new injection cap and flush the catheter.
•    If you do not have a new injection cap, fold the line in half & wrap with rubber band to clamp.
•    Call your healthcare provider/homecare provider.

8.  What if my catheter is leaking?

•    Check that the injection cap is not loose. Tighten if necessary.
•    Notify your healthcare provider/homecare agency for following situations:

a) If leaking from catheter, clamp the catheter between the leak & your body by using clamp if present or by folding catheter back on itself & wrapping a rubber band around catheter.
b)  If leaking is from insertion site

 

9.  What if blood backs up in my catheter?

•    Check that the injection cap is not loose.
•    Flush the catheter as soon as possible. Close clamp if present.
•    If blood continues to back up or you do not have access to flush supplies, call your healthcare provider/homecare agency.

 

REVISED 10/18/18 AG

PS5146 ThedaCare Print Center Rev 12/19