Sunday, January 12, 2020

Flushing Your PICC Line at Home Saint Luke's Health System

Stop when you have the right amount of flushing solution in the syringe. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much to use. Pull the line, measure it to ensure that the entire line has been removed, cover the site and go on with your day. When I worked in the hospital, we pulled them on the floor ourselves too.

removing a picc line at home

See your physician if you have any problems. Never re-advance the catheter into the insertion site. If it appears to have moved or pulled out from the site, notify your doctor's office immediately.

Removal of PICC line at home and not in the hospital?

Inject the flushing solution into the tube. Gently remove your bandage and wipe the port of the catheter with alcohol. If there is a cap, open it and insert the tip of the syringe into the port. Push the plunger down slowly and gently to inject the solution into the PICC line. This is the liquid that you will send through the PICC line. Your healthcare provider will tell you what kind to use.

removing a picc line at home

Check the normal saline and heparin syringe labels before giving them.Normal saline and heparin syringes are good until the expiration date. Throw it away sooner if you see sediment in it or if you question its cleanliness. If you throw one away be sure to call the home care pharmacy for a replacement. I have had PICC lines removed at home by my home health nurse. There are no issues with it as long it is clean.

Steps on PICC Line Removal

You will need a syringe , alcohol wipes , and a flushing solution. The flushing solution is usually a saline solution, which is sent through the PICC line to clean it out. A PICC line (or “Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter”) is a thin tube used to administer fluids, antibiotics and drugs directly into a vein in your arm. Be sure to keep the catheter site dry and clean, and follow your physician’s exact directions about home care for your PICC line. While your child has a PICC line, swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and hot tubs is discouraged. There have been reports of serious infections after swimming.

removing a picc line at home

It threads up your arm until it reaches the large vein above your heart. Your PICC may have one or two lines ; fluids will go into these lines. The PICC line generally stays in for about a month, but can be left in longer if needed and if you don’t get an infection.

How do I order supplies?

If it gets wet or torn, change it right away. Do not put lotions or ointments under the dressing. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel.

removing a picc line at home

The gel should have at least 60% alcohol. "Your article was easy to read and gave me the amount of time occlusive dressing should remain in place." Ask the patient to continue holding their breath while you cover the area with an occlusive dressing. Once this is done, allow the patient to breathe normally and return to a comfortable position. Once you've cleaned the skin, turn off the infusion set and prepare the dressing patch so it is ready to apply immediately following the procedure.

Purchase a special airtight PICC line covering to wear in the shower, or when you are anywhere near water (e.g. when watering your lawn). Gently remove the bandage without pulling or touching the catheter. Discard the old bandage in the trash bag. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer thoroughly before you handle the PICC line.

removing a picc line at home

This will cause any large air bubbles to rise into the tip. Remove the cap from the needle or tip of the syringe. Push the plunger of the syringe down all the way. Only touch your PICC line with clean hands, or when wearing clean gloves. This is the device used to give an injection, or shot. A syringe is used to flush your PICC line with the solution.

You'll need to cover your PICC line when you take a shower, as the area shouldn't get wet. Your doctor or nurse might provide a cover or you can buy one at a drugstore. Other PICC line covers are available for daily use to protect the area or make it less obvious to other people. After a PICC line insertion, there may be some tenderness in the area where the catheter enters your arm.

removing a picc line at home

Monitor the patient's condition for 24 to 48 hours. After the removal of the PICC line, monitor the patient’s condition for 24 to 48 hours. Observe the patient for any signs of infection, such as fever. Prepare the patient for the next step by asking him or her to hold the breath as the nurse removes the catheter. Cover the area immediately with sterile gauze and hold the gauze in place with a light amount of pressure.

Be sure to inform the patient to not engage in any strenuous exercises or do any heavy lifting for a minimum of 24 hours following PICC line removal. This includes moving furniture, lifting heavy boxes or engaging in any activity that involves repetitive arm or hand movements. Use slow, intermittent traction when removing a PICC line.

removing a picc line at home

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