PICC Lines
This was a response (plus some that I added) that I just posted to a thread from yesterday, but I thought it was really important for people to know and didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle, so I wanted to post it again in its own thread. Please only use this as general information and as a warning. I just want people considering a PICC or people whose surgeon told them they'll be getting a PICC to be informed. This is only my personal advice.
PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted (denoting the location of the little hub that hangs out of you) Central Catheter (denoting the location of the end of it, in the large vessel near your heart).
A PICC looks like a souped up IV that hangs out of your arm or some other body part. It's used by medical professionals in hospitals and outpatient infusion centers to administer medications and fluids intravenously, or at home so that people can have longer term therapies in the home environment.
If someone has awful veins, they might have one inserted in the hospital. If they're going to have a prolonged hospital stay or need multiple needlesticks for blood draws throughout their stay, it can be a good option for them. And, if they're going to be going home on antibiotics, chemotherapy or TPN (sort of an IV "food" for people who can't eat or aren't eating enough to sustain them), a PICC is a good option for them.
One thing I'd mention for people who will be having a PICC inserted is to make sure that EVERYONE who goes to flu**** with saline or inject a medication or fluid into it WASHES THEIR HANDS before touching you and your line, and SCRUBS THE HUB with an alcohol pad before attaching the syringe or tubing. EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! This is to protect you from infection (line sepsis) and is part of a national patient safety goal outlined by the powers that be to prevent death and harm from mishandling by healthcare professionals. Nurses and doctors and techs might feel all knowing and powerful and will say that they won't need to wash their hands or scrub the hub, but it'll be THEIR ****iness that leads YOU to have an awful infection. And to me, their ego isn't worth my life.
I don't want to scare anyone, and again I think a PICC can be a great thing for a patient to have, but something you shoudn't forget-- this is your body and a PICC line is a serious risk for blood stream infection. PICC lines aren't without their risks and everyone should discuss these with their doctor and the team placing the PICC before it actually happens so that you can make an informed decision about your health. It can be a WONDERFUL tool (people have them for years and years and they do great), but like every tool, must be used properly and with care. Don't feel nervous or embarrassed to ask the person hooking you up to wash their hands (alcohol foam/gel is sufficient) in front of you and don a clean pair of gloves if you didn't see them wash/change gloves. All healthcare workers get training on this and know it's what they should be doing.
You only have ONE body in this life, and we are all making such a big decision to get that body healthy through WLS, so make sure you use it well and that everyone else treats it with care and respect!
Thank you (now I'll step off my soapbox!).
PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted (denoting the location of the little hub that hangs out of you) Central Catheter (denoting the location of the end of it, in the large vessel near your heart).
A PICC looks like a souped up IV that hangs out of your arm or some other body part. It's used by medical professionals in hospitals and outpatient infusion centers to administer medications and fluids intravenously, or at home so that people can have longer term therapies in the home environment.
If someone has awful veins, they might have one inserted in the hospital. If they're going to have a prolonged hospital stay or need multiple needlesticks for blood draws throughout their stay, it can be a good option for them. And, if they're going to be going home on antibiotics, chemotherapy or TPN (sort of an IV "food" for people who can't eat or aren't eating enough to sustain them), a PICC is a good option for them.
One thing I'd mention for people who will be having a PICC inserted is to make sure that EVERYONE who goes to flu**** with saline or inject a medication or fluid into it WASHES THEIR HANDS before touching you and your line, and SCRUBS THE HUB with an alcohol pad before attaching the syringe or tubing. EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! This is to protect you from infection (line sepsis) and is part of a national patient safety goal outlined by the powers that be to prevent death and harm from mishandling by healthcare professionals. Nurses and doctors and techs might feel all knowing and powerful and will say that they won't need to wash their hands or scrub the hub, but it'll be THEIR ****iness that leads YOU to have an awful infection. And to me, their ego isn't worth my life.
I don't want to scare anyone, and again I think a PICC can be a great thing for a patient to have, but something you shoudn't forget-- this is your body and a PICC line is a serious risk for blood stream infection. PICC lines aren't without their risks and everyone should discuss these with their doctor and the team placing the PICC before it actually happens so that you can make an informed decision about your health. It can be a WONDERFUL tool (people have them for years and years and they do great), but like every tool, must be used properly and with care. Don't feel nervous or embarrassed to ask the person hooking you up to wash their hands (alcohol foam/gel is sufficient) in front of you and don a clean pair of gloves if you didn't see them wash/change gloves. All healthcare workers get training on this and know it's what they should be doing.
You only have ONE body in this life, and we are all making such a big decision to get that body healthy through WLS, so make sure you use it well and that everyone else treats it with care and respect!
Thank you (now I'll step off my soapbox!).
~~Emily~~
Loved my PICC Line...Was nervous getting it in, but, they gave me some happy juice to calm me.
It saved me from tons of needs and it fed me for a couple of months!...AND...wouldn't faze me a bit to ask a doctor, nurse, aides to wear gloves. I wouldn't mind if I were asked eirther work in healthcare
!Hugs and Loves
Donna
Leaky sleeve survivor!!! 2008/2009 ~ 5'7"~ 42F Bougie 
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