Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Patient Information Booklet
Instructions
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Patient Information Booklet
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
Patient Information Booklet
Introduction:
Your doctor has requested that a PICC be inserted for your medical treatment. This booklet has been given to you to provide information about the Arrow® PICC. Use it in addition to the directions you have received from your nurse or doctor.
PICC stands for a “Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter”. It is a small tube that is placed into a blood vessel in one of your arms and the tip is advanced to a position that is close to your heart. Medications or nutritional fluids can be given through the catheter for an illness that requires treatment over a period of time. A PICC is an alternative to having repeated needle sticks or surgery to place another kind of intravenous (IV) device.
The PICC consists of a long, hollow tube (lumen) with one (or more) holes at the tip that lies within the body and a hub at the other end that is outside of the body on the arm surface (refer to Figure 1). Medications or fluids can be given through the hub continuously or injected periodically. 
Catheter Care and Maintenance:
Dressings:
The insertion site and external portion of the PICC should be covered with a protective dressing. The dressing will help to hold the catheter in place and keep the area clean and protected from germs.
Because the catheter is small and pliable, the catheter body can be anchored in place by using stitches, sterile tape strips or a special anchoring device. The special anchoring device consists of a catheter clamp and a crescent-shaped adhesive strip. The strip is placed on the arm and the catheter clamp that has been applied to the catheter is snapped into place (refer to Figures 2 and 3). Another dressing, either gauze or a transparent sheet, is placed over the site as a final protective measure.
If you or a family member have been trained to redress your catheter, follow the directions given by your doctor or nurse. Be sure to wash your hands prior to starting the procedure and use sterile technique as you have been instructed. As a safeguard, do not use sharp instruments such as scissors during the dressing change to avoid accidentally cutting your catheter. Inspect the insertion site regularly for any redness or drainage, and watch the catheter to make sure it does not move in or out further than when it was inserted. If the dressing becomes loose, make sure that it is changed. If your catheter is accidentally removed, immediately cover the site with an occlusive dressing and contact your nurse or doctor.
Flushing:
To keep your PICC open to flow, it may be flushed and filled with sterile normal saline or an anti-clotting solution. The solution keeps blood from backing up into the lumen and forming a clot. If you or a family member are caring for your catheter, follow the directions given by your doctor or nurse. They will tell you what solution should be used as well as the amount that should be given and how often the catheter should be flushed.
Complications:
Although you should not expect a problem to occur that is related to your PICC, it is important that you become familiar with the signs and symptoms that might signal such a problem. See the following table.
| Signs and Symptoms | Possible Cause | Directions | Prevention |
| Drainage, redness, pain, swelling around insertion site, fever and chills | Infection | (all doctor or nurse | Use sterile technique Keep sterile dressing over site Wash hands prior to procedures |
| Arm or shoulder swelling, swishing in ear on same side of body where catheter is located while medication given | Catheter position change | Call doctor or nurse Do not inject any solutions into catheter until talking with doctor or nurse | Inject flushing/locking solution slowly |
| Inability to inject | Catheter clotted or kinked | Call the doctor or nurse | Completely fill catheter lumen with locking solution between treatments Flush catheter well before and after medications |
| Leaking from external catheter | Break in catheter material, hub separation | Call doctor or nurse Fold catheter together below leaking area and tape securely | Do not use alcohol or acetone (as in nail polish or tape remover) on catheter Do not pull on the catheter |
| Pain on injection | Inflammation of vein | Call doctor or nurse | Medications should be given slowly |
Questions:
The following questions cover topics concerning your daily routine while your PICC is in place. You may want to discuss these and other topics with your doctor or nurse.
• May I bathe/shower and swim while my catheter is in place? It is recommended that you do not submerge your catheter site in water. An occlusive dressing should be used to ensure the site remains dry______________________________
• How often should my dress be changed? Your dressing should be changed every 7 days or immediately if soiled or wet___________________________
• How often should my catheter be flushed and what solution should be used? Your catheter should be flushed before and after each use. Or at a minimum of once per week when not in use._____________________________________
Length of catheter inserted:_______________________________
Notes:______________________________
Symbol Glossary: Symbols are in compliance with ISO 15223-1.
Some symbols may not apply to this product. Refer to the product labeling for symbols that apply specifically to this product.
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| Patient Name | Healthcare Institution |
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| Implant Date | Medical Device |
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| Manufacturer | Patient Information Website |
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| Lot Number | Unique Device Identifier |
Arrow, the Arrow logo, Teleflex and the Teleflex logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates, in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2021 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved
Qualitative and quantitative information on materials and substances to which patients can be exposed:
| % | Material/Substance | Role/Notes |
| balance | Polyurethanes | Device body |
| 1.5 – 4.3% | Bismuth Oxychloride -or-Barium Sulfate | Radiopacity Agent |
| <0.1% | Colorants | FDA 21CFR Exempt (Safe for Medical Device Use) |
| <0.1% | Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) | Printing |
Arrow International LLC
Subsidiary ofTeleflex Incorporated
3015 Carrington Mill Blvd., Morrisville, NC 27560 USA
USA: 1 866 246 6990
International: +1919 544 8000
K-01552-107B, Rev. 1 (2021-06)
Documents / Resources
 | ARROW Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Patient Information Booklet [pdf] Instructions Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter PICC Patient Information Booklet, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, Peripherally Inserted Central, Inserted Central Catheter, PICC, Patient Information Booklet |
