What is a PICC catheter?
PICC is a thin, flexible and bendable catheter made of silicone material that is inserted through a peripheral vein (usually a vein at the elbow) to reach the large blood vessels near the heart.
Advantages of PICC:
1. The catheter material is silicone, which is soft, flexible and less irritating to the blood vessels.
2. The catheter can be left in place for a long time, from several months to a year, reducing the pain of repeated venipuncture. And it will not affect the limb activities and daily life will not be affected.
3.Establishing reliable venous access, providing medium and long-term infusion, chemotherapy, blood transfusion and other treatment for the child, and avoiding the stimulation of various drugs on the intima.
4.Easy to fix, easy to care, less complications.
Indications for PICC.
1.Poor condition of peripheral venous vessels.
2.The need to inject irritating drugs, such as chemotherapeutic drugs, etc.
3.Requiring repeated transfusion of blood or blood products.
4.Need long-term intravenous treatment.
Guidance of daily life after PICC placement
1.You can do general housework: such as cooking, washing dishes, sweeping the floor, etc.
2.The arm can do general activities, such as bending, stretching, but not excessive force, lifting heavy objects, crutches.
3. Pay attention to the cuffs of clothes should not be too tight.
4.Avoid blood pressure measurement and venipuncture on the side where the catheter is placed.
5.After the puncture point and catheter are properly protected, you can take a shower, but not swimming.
Maintenance of PICC catheter
General maintenance is performed every 7 days between treatments, including flushing the catheter, changing the dressing and heparin cap. Change twice a week if necessary according to seasonal changes, and change dressings promptly when they are loose or wet.