Diff b/w PICC and Central Line

Specialties Infusion

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What is the difference b/w a PICC line and a Central line? I would like this helpful information. Thanks.

Angela

bobnurse said:
Strips meaning steri-strips to hold it down? some people use them, many dont.

The biggest difference in dressing changes is to ensure that your pulling the opsite towards the insertion site to minimize pulling the catheter out. Otherwise, the dressing change is similar to a subclavian line. We use the stat-loc device to secure our piccs.........

We use stat loc's to secure our PICC line's also. I have noticed that our patients respond much better to them. If you have never seen a stat loc before it looks like a sticker with posts sticking up that you attach the PICC line too (it sounds strange - you have to see one to know what I'm talking about). We use them in stead of suturing our lines in. The MD who created the stat-loc did so because he got stuck with a needle when suturing a line in and got hep c from it......

Anyway... the number one reason I like the stat loc's is because of the ability to clean around and under the line. They are fabulous!!!

Gwen

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It's virtually impossible to puncture a lung with a PICC because it is inserted in the arm -- most preferably the basilic vein not in the area above the clavivle close to the lung- However, on rad reads the Docs will still state there is no pneumo noted. I laugh each time I see it.

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What about the shorter central vVeous lines that are placed in the femoral vein? For those of you that work in the PICU, have you ever sent a patient home with one of these? Because they are shorter, they are they not as safe to send home (for long term IV therapy), as say a longer-term PICC??

Thanks in advance for your feedback)

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KTWLPN-- Could you please cite your reference for the informative explanation? Thanks.

Jessica--Institution policy will dictate dressing change procedures,which in turn will vary depending on the exact type of line,insertion site,etc. If you're interested,check out the CDC website for their recommendations on reducing catheter-related blood stream infections.

Fester555- Hemolysis is always a potential problem with labsdraws off a PICC--everything from personal technique to lumen size to style of end cap can increase hemolysis. If you really want some hemolysis data from PICC draws I can cite some sources and figures but it's 0430 and this is only the third night shift I've worked in the last 4 years and I should be asleep!

Regards.

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I just started as a nurse and I have seen nurses use a small syringe when they are unable to access a lumen. Is there any other way to manipulate a port without using a small syringe, which i heard was not good practice?

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Is an IJ the same as a central line, except it is in the jugular?

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Bump.

My question is, why would you choose a central line over a PICC line with all the risks? Plus, I had a transplant and had a central line myself and after seeing how invasive and annoying it was... I wonder, why didn't they just use a PICC?

And Kay presented a good question above:

Quote
Is an IJ the same as a central line, except it is in the jugular?

Thanks ?

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
quetepye said:
Bump.

My question is, why would you choose a central line over a PICC line with all the risks? Plus, I had a transplant and had a central line myself and after seeing how invasive and annoying it was... I wonder, why didn't they just use a PICC?

And Kay presented a good question above:

Thanks ?

Well,

One reason a MD placed line may be ordered vs. a PICC line is that a line placed by an MD can be quickly placed, quickly verified and then subsequently promptly used. Yes, an MD placed line is done so with greater risks to the patient, but sometimes time is of essence and a PICC line takes awhile to set up for, and then place, and then obtain a CXR and get results. In an emergency setting, once a MD places a non-tunnelled IV catheter, it should be replaced in short order with a PICC, if possible, so therapy can continue all the while still having a reliable, viable line.

In addition, an IV catheter placed in the jugular, may indeed be a central catheter, but it could also be a short term peripheral IV catheter. Just because the entry point is in the jugular vein, doesn't mean that the catheters length is one that extends into the SVC.

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Quote
One reason a MD placed line may be ordered vs. a PICC line is that a line placed by an MD can be quickly placed, quickly verified and then subsequently promptly used. Yes, an MD placed line is done so with greater risks to the patient, but sometimes time is of essence and a PICC line takes awhile to set up for, and then place, and then obtain a CXR and get results. In an emergency setting, once a MD places a non-tunnelled IV catheter, it should be replaced in short order with a PICC, if possible, so therapy can continue all the while still having a reliable, viable line.

Interesting. I didn't have a central line until I woke up from my liver transplant - the line was just there. But they found that it was too far in after a CXR so they reinserted it and did another CXR. I think it was finally good that time. Anyways though, the central line was there for an entire week and no one mentioned or even said anything about a PICC. I still don't understand why not. Isn't a PICC much lower risk, not to mention higher comfort? Couldn't they have seen in the CXR that their line was in too far, removed it, and just put in the PICC instead of going for the central line again? It wasn't an emergency situation. I had an arterial line, large bore IV, and regular IV as well.

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Femoral picc considered pheripheral or central line?

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Specializes in Vascular Access.

A line placed in the femoral vein should have its tip in the IVC, vs the SVC. If it is in the correct place, then it is a central line. Most lines in the femoral vein are percutaneously placed, non-tunneled.

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