A PICC LINE
NEGLECTED IS A PICC
LINE INFECTED
Clinical Guideline
(Adult)
The Clinical Question
In adult patients with PICC lines, what
are the best practices related to routine
care, medication infusion, and
maintaining patency to reduce
complications?
COMPLICATIONS
 Heparin-Induced
Thrombocytopenia
Syndrome (HITS)
 Allergic reaction to heparin
 Catheter occlusion
 Catheter Related Blood Stream
Infections (CRBSI)
PREVENTION
Avoid
cross-contamination of
lumens
Keep end-caps tight
Maintain proper hand hygiene
Normal saline instead of
heparin
ROUTINE CARE & DRESSING
CHANGES



Initial & Routine
 24 hrs post insertion
 Every seven days
Maintain sterile/aseptic
technique
 Surgical mask, nonpowdered sterile gloves,
sterile dressing change
kit
Indications for dressing change
 Soiled, raised, loose, torn, or
damp
MEDICATION INFUSION

Clean port
 Scrub vigorously
with an alcohol
swab

Flush using SIS
method
 10mL syringe or
larger
MAINTAINING PATENCY


Assess Patency
 Upon initial
assessment
 Before administering
medications
 At least every 8
hours
Use 0.9% sodium
chloride (normal
saline)
DATABASES USED…
 CINAHL
 MedLine
QUESTIONS???
Thank you for your time!