PICC Line Clarification

kdkaboom55 · Jan 9, 2012

The answer to your question depends on the brand and gauge of PICC used. The Bard Power Injectable PICCs 5 french (double lumen) cathethers have ports that are the same length, while the triple lumen 6 French catheters have one lumen (the red hub) which is a little longer, but the remaining two lumens are the same length. The different ports on the PICC do indicate a separtae lumen that travels through the same vein, but yes when all the meds come out of the tip in the same place. However because of the high blood volume and pressure at that location of the SVC, it is unlikely that the meds "mix" - they simply don't have time, as they are hemodiluted too quickly. HTH

JayMal · Jan 10, 2012

Hi, thanks for the information. One other question to clarify. For PICC lines specifically - Could the ports on the PICC be classified as proximal and distal? If so, and they are not premarked, how does one tell?

kdkaboom55 · Jan 10, 2012

Proximal and distal would refer to the distance of the port away from the insertion site. If the ports are the same length, the distinction would not apply. If the ports differ in length, then the "proximal" port is the one that is closer to the insertion site (the shorter port); the "distal" port is the one that is further away (the longer port).

MunoRN, RN · Jan 12, 2012

Power PICCs do not have proximal and distal lumens, they all exit at the open tip from divided lumens. These ports are red and purple. Valved PICC (groshong) catheters do have proximal and distal exit points and therefore are typically marked as such. Groshong ports are usually identified with white and grey access ports.

You can also have a mix of each type; a triple lumen PICC is usually 2 groshong lumens (grey and white ports marked distal and proximal) and 1 Power lumen (Red access port, not marked as distal although it does exit distally to the two groshong openings.

rkealy, BSN · Jan 15, 2012

jaymal said:
Hi,
We are working to move to an ehr and have gotten stuck on a picc line issue. within the program is wants us to document the picc line ports as distal proximal etc. is a picc actually setup like this? I know tlcs are but I thought picc are cut to length thus cutting a tip or other port? do meds given through different ports on a picc go through two catheters within the picc or do they mix? all meds come out the very tip of the picc, correct? any help would be great, thanks.
jason,
BSN, mha, RN-bc, emt-p, ccrn, cen

arrow piccs however are not trimable and to have separate exit lumens it depends on what brand you are using.

Columnist · Mar 27, 2023

Depends on the brand / manufacturer. PICC lines might have one, two, or three lumens. Typically, with a triple lumen PICC, the proximal port is white, medial is blue, and brown is distal.

Although it may appear to be one line, since they are all enclosed in one sheath, each lumen (line) allows for separate infusions. So, no, medications going through different ports will not mix within the line.

Each line also typically has a different exit port so not all infusions come out at the very tip of the PICC. This is to further reduce the risk of mixing.

I would check the information from the manufacturer to confirm for the specific type of PICC you're using at your facility.