Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)

Key points about peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs)

• a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a soft, flexible tube that goes into a large vein near the heart
• health professionals use it to give medicines and fluids and to take blood samples during treatment

What is a PICC?

A PICC is a type of central venous access device (CVAD). It is a soft, flexible tube. It usually goes into a vein in your child’s arm. It's gently guided through the vein until it sits in a large vein close to the right side of the heart. Part of the tube stays outside the body on your child's arm.

The small capped ends of the tube outside the body are called 'lumens'. A PICC can have 1 or more lumens.  

A PICC allows easy access to the bloodstream to give medicines and fluids and to take blood samples during treatment.

You can also read the overview page about central venous access devices (CVADs).

Central Venous Access Devices

Why your child might need a PICC

A PICC is useful if your child needs weeks of IV (intravenous) treatment. It can stay in for months if working well.

Putting in the PICC

Putting in a PICC is a minor procedure. Your child will need to stay very still. Pēpi (babies) and young tamariki (children) usually need a general anaesthetic. Older tamariki can have the procedure while they're awake. 

A health professional will gently guide the tube into place using x-ray.

The end of the PICC that is outside your child's body is kept in place with a special device. The health professional will cover it with a see-through dressing so it stays clean.

Caring for your child with their PICC

Your healthcare team may show you how to change your child's dressing and care for your child's PICC. 

Changing dressings

A transparent, waterproof dressing always covers the skin where the tube comes out, and the first few inches of the outside tube. Your healthcare team will change this dressing each week or sooner if it becomes unstuck or dirty. They check the area and give it a good clean with antiseptic solution to prevent infection. They might also use barrier solutions to prevent skin irritation.

Your healthcare team may cover the dressing with a tubular bandage to protect the dressing and the exit site. 

Flushing the line

At least once a week, your healthcare team will also check the PICC line to make sure it's working well. They'll flush the lumen with sterile saline and a solution to prevent the tube from getting blocked.

Changing the plug

The plug on the end of the PICC also needs changing each week. Healthcare teams in some centres put a cap on the end of the plug to prevent infection.

Preventing pulling or tugging

Avoid pulling or tugging the PICC. Take care when dressing your child. 

Sports and swimming

Avoid swimming. Talk to your child's healthcare team about the sports your child can safely do with the device in place.  

Showers and baths

Keep the PICC dry and out of the water when bathing or showering.

Don’t soak the dressing in water as it may become unstuck. If it gets too damp and stays damp, it can cause infection and skin irritation. 

Managing water under the dressing

If you know how to do it, change the dressing straight away. Otherwise, tell your child's healthcare team or phone the ward at your local hospital if you are at home.

If the dressing starts to lift or come off

• cover it with a dressing from the safety pack
• contact your healthcare team for a dressing change

Removing a PICC

Your healthcare team will take out the PICC at the end of treatment or when your child no longer needs it. Taking out a PICC is usually a simple procedure. A member of your child's healthcare team can do it on your child's ward.  

Your child will have a dressing for 1 to 2 days until the skin has healed.