Looking after your peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

Read our guide below about looking after your peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

The most effective way for you to receive your treatment is through a peripherally inserted central catheter. It’s often called a PICC line.

What is a PICC?

It’s a long, flexible tube, often called a line, which is inserted into a large vein in your upper arm. It’s threaded up your arm until the tip sits in a large vein just above your heart.

The PICC is made of a thin, soft, non-irritant material so it can be left in place for weeks or months depending on how long you need it. This means you can have your treatment without needing more needles inserting into your veins.

A PICC can help give treatments such as intravenous feeding (Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)), chemotherapy and antibiotics. It can also be used to take blood samples or give blood transfusions.

How is the PICC inserted?

A specially trained nurse or health professional will put the PICC in place, either in hospital or as an outpatient. They’ll use local anaesthetic to stop any discomfort during the procedure. Once in place, they’ll use a securement device (Securacath – orange clip) and a clear dressing to keep it in place.

It will be confirmed that your line is in the correct position on insertion or you may need a chest x-ray.

PICC line threaded through the vein

End of the PICC line secured with a dressing

Possible risks and complications

Every procedure has potential risks and complications. Before we insert the PICC we’ll fully explain these risks to you.

We’ll ask you for your consent before going ahead.

Tell your nurse or doctor after you have the PICC inserted if you have:

• ongoing bleeding or discharge at the PICC entry point
• swelling, redness or pain anywhere in your arm, chest or neck
• a temperature or feel feverish
• increased redness around the entry point (see the visual infusion phlebitis (VIP) table below)

Visual infusion phlebitis (VIP)

Use the table below to monitor any increased redness around the PICC entry point.

VIP score	Description	Example	Action
0	Healthy site, no signs of phlebitis		Continue routine monitoring
1	Pain or redness at  site		Tell the OPAT/IV team/unit and monitor the  site
2 +	Pain and redness, swelling or any pus		Tell OPAT/IV team /unit and get a medical review

Looking after your PICC

Once in place, you must take care of your PICC to stop it from coming out or getting infected.

Wash your hands

If you ever need to handle your PICC, always wash your hands with soap and water and dry your hands thoroughly first.

Keep the dressing clean and dry

Once a week, a health professional will clean the area where the line goes into your skin and change your dressing and bung at the end of the line

If at any time your dressing becomes loose or detached from your skin, try to secure the line with tape or a bandage. Contact your unit/nurse to arrange for a new dressing as soon as possible.

Check your line daily

To help monitor the site where we insert your line, your nurse may give you a VIP chart, or see the chart above, to check the site daily.

If you can see more than one line coming out of the insertion site, the PICC may have moved.

Tell your nurse. You may need to have another chest x-ray to re-check the position.

Baths and showers

You can do both. Do not soak your arm underwater. Always dab the dressing dry if it gets wet.

You can wrap clingfilm around the waterproof dressing for extra protection or buy a specialist arm protector. Talk to the unit or team for more information

Swimming

You should never swim or use hydroptherapy with a PICC in place.

Exercise

Don’t play sport like golf or do upper body weight lifting as the PICC may move.  You can do normal daily activities as usual.

How is the PICC removed?

A nurse will do this either at your home or in the outpatient department in hospital.

They’ll gently ease out the PICC and remove the securacath. You may feel a bit of discomfort for a few minutes. You’ll have a dressing applied to the break in your skin, which you need to leave on for 24 to 48 hours before removing it.

If you have any questions

Contact the nurse or department where you’re getting your treatment. They’ll talk to you about your concerns and if necessary, check your line.

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?

Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections.

You, and anyone visiting you, must use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in and after you leave. You may need to wash your hands at the sink using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not suitable for dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.

More help or advice

Contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01296 316042 or bht.pals@nhs.net