Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
Your child's doctor has requested that your child be evaluated for a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (commonly known as a PICC).
A PICC is a long catheter that is inserted into a vein and then advanced to a central vein that has a greater volume of blood supply to provide safe and reliable intravenous access for your child. PICC's are popular in pediatrics because they can eliminate the need for painful repeated IV (intravenous) needle sticks for your child.
When your child is referred for a PICC, a member of the PICC team will evaluate your child and discuss the risks and benefits of placing a PICC.
The members of the team will discuss the location of the PICC, where the tip of the PICC is located, how to care for it and why your child would benefit from a PICC instead of a regular IV.
The discussion will also include the use of topical anesthesia (numbing medicine called EMLA) for comfortable placement of the PICC. Consent is obtained from a parent and then a time is scheduled for placement.
Here at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, PICC's are placed in one of the Interventional Radiology suites. This allows for immediate confirmation of the tip placement and use of the PICC.
Placing PICC's in Interventional Radiology also allows the PICC team to utilize the Interventional Radiologist if there is any difficulty in advancing the catheter or accessing the vein. Your child will benefit from this collaborative effort during the placement of his / her PICC.
Once the PICC is placed, you can help your child avoid problems with it by following these few simple guidelines.
Accidental Pulls to the PICC
- Keep the special wrap (co-flex) on your child's arm. Unwrap it only when giving medication through the PICC or when instructed by the nurse.
- If there is any drainage on the dressing, you should notify the nurse.
- If the PICC seems to have slipped out under the dressing farther than usual, you should notify the nurse immediately.
Blockage of the PICC
If blood backs up into the PICC or if it is not flushed regularly, the inner lumen of the PICC can clot off. Keep these things in mind when checking for blockage:
- You may feel pressure when flushing the PICC or if the solution will not run through the PICC.
- Check for kinks in the tubing or if the PICC is clamped when administering the solution.
- Never forcefully push solutions through the PICC. Stop and call your nurse.
Air in Bloodstream
Air may enter the bloodstream if the cap is removed from the end of the PICC or if there is a hole or cut in the tubing. Although this is rare, it does require immediate medical attention. In the event that this happens, follow the guidelines below.
- Immediately clamp or pinch off the catheter above the hole or cut in the catheter.
- Turn your child so that he / she is lying on his / her left side.
- Call your nurse immediately.
PICC's are a safe and comfortable way of delivering medications to your child in the hospital and at home.
Although rare, complications can occur so by following the above guidelines your child will maintain his / her PICC for the duration of the therapy without the need for repeated IV sticks.
Written 10/03, rev. 8/05
