PICC Line and Midline Catheter Care
PICC Line and Midline Catheter Care is crucial. This page describes, in general, PICC Line and Midline Catheter care and maintenance and why such care and maintenance is critically important for line preservation, function, and infection prevention. Interested in learning more about our services for vascular access? Find more here →
PICC Line and Midline Catheter Care Introduction
PICC Line and Midline Catheter Care provide information and guidance on how to care for your PICC or Midline Catheter placement such as after a hospital discharge or after a procedure is performed at an outpatient clinic. While a PICC is a Central Venous Catheter Line and a Midline is not a Central Venous Catheter Line, the care and maintenance of each is approximately the same as each has an external component covered by a sterile dressing. Both PICCs and Midlines are used instead of Peripheral IVs as they can enable medicine or nutrition needs to be given over a longer period of time, reduce the discomfort of multiple Peripheral IV’s each time a new one is needed, and allow for home therapy or therapy at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) or senior care community. PICCs may have more than one channel or lumen to allow different fluids or infusions at the same time and because PICCs are central catheter lines, they can stay in place longer and allow for stronger concentrated medications.
Vascular Access Clinician
Washing Hands is Essential
PICC Line and Midline Catheter Care and Attention
Your PICC Line or Midline Catheter does need care and attention to keep it clean and working. This care includes changing the bandage (dressing), flushing the catheter with fluids, and changing the cap on the end of the catheter. You must always disinfect by washing before and after touching any part of your PICC Line or Midline Catheter. You must comply with all follow-up care instructions by your healthcare provider. The PICC Line or Midline Catheter will be removed when it is no longer needed or indicated for use, if complications occur, or if it becomes infected. Your care and attention to your PICC Line or Midline Catheter is very important.
Dressing Changes of PICC Line or Midline Catheter Site
Sterile techniques must be used for any PICC Line or Midline Catheter dressing change. If you or your family member, friend or anyone assisting you does not know sterile dressing techniques, you must contact your healthcare provider for instructions. You must change the dressing over the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site as directed which is usually about once per week; however, you must check the dressing daily and change it sooner if the dressing gets dislodged, wet or soiled.
PICC Line and Midline Dressing Change Supplies
Keep your Catheter Dry
Activities with a PICC or Midline Catheter
You do not want the tube migrating out and as such, you need to be mindful of the PICC Line or Midline Catheter. You must not let the tubing hang freely and you must not pick or pull at it. You also need to avoid heavy lifting with the arm in which the PICC Line or Midline is placed. The site should be kept dry and as such, when you bathe or shower, tape plastic wrap or a plastic bag over it. Do not submerge the PICC Line or Midline site under water and do not swim or use hot tubs. If the dressing gets wet, change it immediately.
Seeking Medical Attention for a PICC or Midline Catheter
You must call your healthcare provider if any of the following occur:
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Drainage from the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site
• Swelling or bulging around the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site
• Bleeding from the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site
• Skin pulls away from the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site
• Redness, warmth, or pus at the PICC Line or Midline Insertion Site
• Tubing breaks, splits, or leaks
• More exposed tubing (tubing seems longer) or the tubing is pulled out completely
• Medicine or fluids don’t drain from the bag into your PICC Line or Midline
Want more than just a PICC Service or PICC Team?
Email us below or call 877-284-4435.
We are Vascular Access Specialists and here to help and answer your questions.
Let us be part of your trusted Healthcare Team.
Vascular Wellness provides comprehensive, quality, timely, and innovative vascular access services, including standard and advanced line placement, pediatrics, program management, education, training, and infection control and prevention to all healthcare settings such as Tertiary Hospitals, Community Hospitals, Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, Hospital at the Home Programs, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Surgical and Outpatient Centers, Hospice, and At-Home care. We support a 98+% Success Rate with 0% Insertion-Related Infection Rate across all lines, with an average response time of 3 hours. We help our clients improve patient outcomes, enable faster therapy, reduce costs, infections, and readmissions, decrease hospital length of stay, and reduce transportation expenses.
Office Address
Vascular Wellness
151 Quarrystone Circle
Suite 112
Cary, NC 27519
919-226-3694
Clinical Hours for Dispatch
Service Hours extend 2+ hours after Dispatch
Monday-Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am - 3pm
Holidays: 8am - 1pm
Follow Us
