Patient Information – TOC
- Procedure Overview – Vascular Access
- PICCs
- About Your PICC
- Blood Sampling
- PICC Catheter and Site Care
- PICCsox PICC Line Covers
- Flushing Protocols
- Power Injection for Contrast-Enhanced Scans
- PICC Device Removal
Procedure Overview – Vascular Access
Vascular Access plays a critical role in many patients’ lives, providing medications through reliable access to the central circulatory system. FloMedical helps Vascular Access professionals improve patients’ lives and provide quality care by developing reliable, effective vascular access devices through which medications and fluids are administered. FloMedical is continually striving to provide the latest technologies in peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), ports, and an innovative hand-held ultrasound imaging system that is designed to aid in locating and accessing veins.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs)
Your doctor may determine that as part of your treatment, you will need to receive your medications by intravenous injection. Intravenous (IV) injection is the injection of the drug into a vein, a blood vessel that directs blood back to your heart. If your doctor has determined that your treatment will need to continue over a period of a few weeks, insertion of a PICC may make this possible. A PICC is a special type of catheter, a long, soft, hollow tube that may have one or two openings called lumens, that are used to deliver your medications.
For more information, visit: The American Cancer Society® The National Cancer Institute®
About your PICC
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) provide access to the venous system, to allow for the delivery of medication or fluids. Typically, PICCs are used for patients who require therapy that will extend over a period of time. PICCs are usually inserted into a vein in the upper arm.
Intravenous injection is the injection of a fluid into a vein, a blood vessel that directs blood back to your heart. Insertion of a PICC makes it possible to receive therapy by intravenous injection over a period of time.
A PICC is inserted into a vein. Often, a vein in your upper arm is chosen. After your skin has been cleaned to remove germs, one end of the catheter will be inserted through your skin into the vein. The catheter will be threaded through the vein until the tip of the catheter is near your heart. This is the best place to deliver the required fluids.
Sometimes x-rays are taken as the PICC is inserted. Other times, the catheter is inserted and then an x-ray is taken to make sure the catheter is in the best position.
A dressing will be placed over the area where the catheter comes out of your skin. This is called your insertion site, and the dressing will protect it.
Some PICCs have a valve designed to keep them closed when not in use, and some do not. In addition, the valve is designed to stay closed during any normal increases in pressure in your veins, which might occur when you laugh or cough.
Blood Sampling
Under certain circumstances, your health care provider may want to obtain a sample of your blood. Your PICC or port can be used for this purpose. Prior to obtaining a sample, the PICC or port should be flushed. The health care provider will then confirm that he or she can draw blood through your PICC or port by taking a small sample and discarding it. With a PICC, the healthcare provider will attach a clean syringe to your catheter and draw up the sample. With a port, the healthcare provider will first gain access to your port using a needle, and then draw up the sample with a clean syringe. Before the health care provider is done, he or she will flush the catheter as described under Device Flushing Protocol.
PICC Care – Catheter and Site
You will need to care for your PICC and keep it clean. Care will include changing the dressing any time it becomes loose, soiled, or wet and at least one time every week. This may be done by a healthcare provider, or at the suggestion of the healthcare provider, by you, a family member, or friend that has been taught how the dressing is changed.
A sterile end cap will be placed on the end of the catheter. This keeps the catheter closed when not being used. Notify your healthcare provider if your end cap(s) becomes loose, comes off, or is leaking. The end caps should be changed often, and your healthcare provider will help you understand this process.
PICCsox® PICC line covers are medical armbands designed to hold in position, cover and protect PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) placed in a patient’s arm. PICCsox® are worn as an outside garment to protect the PICC from dislodgement or accidental removal. Dislodgement is one of the most frequent issues associated with PICC’s which often causes patients to be re-admitted to hospital for re-insertion of the device.
PICCsox®, made from a bamboo blend, assist in holding the PICC in position. They also protect the sterile dressing by providing a hypoallergenic barrier, helping protect against harmful germs and ensuring the area stays dry and clean. PICC Line Cover Protectors protects and covers your PICC Line and helps prevent pulling and/or displacement.
- Hypoallergenic bamboo blend
- Latex free
- Antimicrobial protection using Silpure
- Easy to wear
- Durable, reusable, washable
- Easy care
- Mesh window for visibility
- Easy access and visibility
- Suitable for overnight wear – non compression
- Comfortable, attractive design
- Inexpensive
- Unisex
- Six sizes
- Australian owned
- ISO 9001:2015 certified
Should I limit my activities while I have a PICC?
Generally, bending your arm, reaching and doing everyday activities will not harm your PICC. You should not lift heavy objects, or carry objects held in the bend of your arm that may put strain on the PICC or the dressing. If your healthcare provider approves, you may take a shower or bath with the PICC in place as long as you cover the PICC and dressing with plastic wrap, a plastic bag or material that will keep it from getting wet. You should NOT do other activities, like swimming, that may get the catheter or dressing wet. A wet dressing or catheter may put you at risk for infection.
Notify your healthcare provider or seek medical attention if you have:
- Redness, soreness or swelling at the PICC insertion site or on your arm.
- Fever, chills or vomiting
- Any problems with your catheter while caring for it
- Difficulty giving medications, or being able to draw blood
- A catheter that becomes damaged in any way, leaks, is torn or broken.
Flushing Your Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
In order for your PICC to continue to work properly, it will need to be cared for and flushed from time to time. A flush occurs when a syringe filled with saline is attached to your catheter, and the saline is pushed into your catheter. This is meant to force any remaining medication or blood that may be inside your catheter into the blood stream. Flushing requirements differ depending upon which brand of PICC you have. The flush will be done by a health care provider, or at the direction of the health care provider, by you, a family member, or another individual that has been taught how to do this.
Flushing Your Implantable Port
Each time you receive a treatment, your nurse should clean the skin over your port. A small, special needle is then inserted through both your skin and the septum, which is the self-sealing silicone rubber area in the center of the port. This needle delivers fluid into the port chamber. From there, the fluid flows through the catheter into your bloodstream.
After the needle is in place, the nurse will first inject a saline solution to flush your port. Then, you will receive the fluid that contains your medication.
Subsequently, the nurse will flush your port again with saline and remove the needle. They may place a small bandage over the port area.
American Cancer Society is a registered trademark of American Cancer Society, Inc. National Cancer Institute is a registered trademark of National Cancer Institute Agency of the United States Government.
Power Injection for Contrast-Enhanced Scans
Under certain circumstances, you may need to receive X-rays, using contrast media via computed tomography (CT) equipment. In a typical procedure, the following steps will occur. You will have this procedure done in radiology. The CT Tech who will administer the procedure will have you lie down on the CT table. They will then prepare you and your PICC line for the procedure.
They will then slide you into the CT system and leave the room. While on the other side of a window, he/she will administer the procedure. Once completed, the power injection equipment will be disconnected, and your catheter will be flushed and dressed.
PICC Device Removal
When your physician feels your PICC is no longer necessary, they will ask that it be removed. Your health care provider will perform this procedure. It is important to note that you should never attempt to remove your PICC line.
To remove your PICC line, the medical provider will remove your sterile dressing and securement device. Then, they will slowly draw out the catheter using slight tension while applying pressure to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. Once removed, the medical provider will check the area for any signs of infection, cleanse the insertion site with antiseptic and apply a sterile dressing. Keep the dressing clean and dry for as long as instructed.
