PICC line policies

Specialties Infusion

Published

I would like to have your expertise on this subject. Picc lines are not being heplocked anymore in our center because we had a few lines that blocked in our CF pts and the physicians did not wanted to ``take a chance`` I work with a pediatric population and I would like to know what are your protocols for blood drawing and heplocking PICC. It is so frustrating... Our children used to love PICC because of the freedom it procures and because it was not to invasive but without the freedom it is a big ``NO WAY !!`` I need tools to convince the team it can be heplocked safely. Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have new ends that we attach to our piccs that you flush with 10 cc of .9, tey feel like they are occulding but they aren't. havn't heard of one go bad since we started using them (about 9 months now)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

The trick is to stop drawing blood from the PICCS and to use push/pause with at least a 10cc saline flush before every heparinization. Eliminating blood draws decreases the chance of clotting off the line, although it certainly is a pain to have to do veipunctures when they already have a line.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Welp we are not allowed to touch our PICC lines :(

Our IV team comes around daily to do assessment, twice daily to flush, and prn for blood draws...oh well

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment