Whats the difference between a picc line versus power picc ? Is there a benefit to using one over the other? Please advise.

Moved to allnurses: Infusion Nursing / Intravenous Nursing forum

A regular PICC is not approved for contrast, I think it has to do with the pressure of injection. A power PICC is okay to use with contrast.

There are also power port a caths now. They usually are triangular instead of round and there is a particular huber needle that has to be used to make it a Power system"

Mommy&RN is correct--any kind of line that denotes "Power" refers to the ability to power-inject fluids, such as IV contrast.

We get them in the PICU sometimes- my only issue with them is that they must be flushed with 10mL of saline- a LOT of volume for some of our kids.

We get them in the PICU sometimes- my only issue with them is that they must be flushed with 10mL of saline- a LOT of volume for some of our kids.

Why are you flushing with so much volume? The Power PICC IFU suggested flush is 10mL in a 10mL bore syringe for an adult PICC line BUT the INS Standard is a minimum of twice the internal volume of the catheter, which for adult catheters of lets say a 5Fr is about 1.5 mL depending upon length.

My NICU only flushes with (x2) internal volume and the peds department at my sister hospital also does (x2) internal volume.