Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

PICC Line Insertion

PICC Line is a thin tube that is inserted into a small vein above your elbow; the tip of the tube will sit within a larger vein near the heart. It is used for giving medication directly into a vein for a long period of time. This could be chemotherapy, antibiotics, food supplements, blood transfusions; the tube can also be used for taking blood samples. The benefit of this procedure is that it will save you the discomfort of having needles repeatedly inserted into your veins. It is a very safe and quick procedure. The PICC Line is semi-permanent and should last the course of your treatment. It is common to get a small bruise around the wound site. Very occasionally the bruise might be large which carries a risk of getting infected and would require treatment with antibiotics.

Very rarely, some damage can be caused to the vein or artery which may need further treatment. There is a very small risk of developing breathing problems or bleeding from the procedure. There is a small risk that the line could become infected. This is reduced by proper care of your PICC Line. Occasionally the line can fall out or become blocked. If this happens it will need to be replaced. We will discuss all the risks and benefits in detail with you before your procedure.

What happens on the day of my appointment?

You may eat a light meal before your procedure. Please take all your medications as usual and, if you are diabetic, you may take your regular insulin.

Before your procedure

You will be admitted to hospital as a day patient or you may already be an inpatient. In the day ward your nurse will ask you several questions about your health and current medication. Your blood pressure and pulse will also be checked. You will be asked to change into a gown. Your nurse will bring you to the X-ray department on your bed.

In the X-ray department you will be seen by a radiologist who will discuss the procedure with you before you give your consent. Please ask any questions you may have as it is important that you understand what is going to happen.

During the procedure

In the procedure room you will lie on a special table with your arm out to the side. Your arm will be cleaned with antiseptic fluid and you will be covered with a sterile drape.

We will use an ultrasound machine to select the correct vein. Local anaesthetic will be injected to take away the pain in your arm.  We will monitor your pulse and blood pressure. Please let us know if you experience any discomfort. 

The PICC Line will slide up your vein from the near the elbow to close to your heart. The team will place a special dressing on your skin to hold the PICC Line in place and a large waterproof dressing will be placed over the line.

The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Going home

If you need treatment for a long period of time, you may be discharged from hospital with your PICC line still in.

You should be able to wear your normal clothes. You need to keep the dressing clean and dry and not touch the line until your hands have been washed with soap and water. The nurses will explain this before you go home.

You will need to come into hospital every week for the dressing to be changed and the line to be flushed. Alternatively, a trained district nurse can also come weekly.

At home

Follow the advice you have been given on how to care for your line.

Please contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following:

The skin around the line becomes red or inflamed.

• Skin swelling around the site
• Leakage from the site
• Pain at the site
• Fevers and chills
• Catheter is visibly out of place
• Difficulty in flushing the line.

Attend your nearest Emergency Department if you experience shortness of breath, coughing or chest pain.

Concerns and Compliments

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation includes Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex University Hospitals as well as services provided at a range of other sites.

If you have concerns or wish to give feedback about services, your care or treatment, you can contact the PALS office on the Ground Floor at each main hospital site

Alternatively, you can send us your comments or suggestions on one of our comment cards, available at the PALS office, or on a feedback form on our website www.chelwest.nhs.uk/pals.

We value your opinion and encourage you to provide us with feedback.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

www.chelwest.nhs.uk