PICC LINE

Hello Lauren/LauPal,

Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

Thank you for your question about the care plan for a PICC line.

 PICC lines are normally flushed once a week. This is because when the PICC line is not being used, there is a slight risk of it becoming blocked. The small amount of fluid flushed into the line using a syringe prevents this.

The caps or bungs at the end of the line need to be changed each week to reduce the risk of infection. The dressing also needs to be changed every week. If it gets wet or starts to peel off, it should be changed sooner. You can purchase a waterproof cover to stop the line getting wet if you want to have a bath or shower. You can either search online or ask your hospital team to recommend one.

It is difficult to change the dressing with one hand, so the nurses at the hospital will usually do it for you when you have the line flushed. If getting to the hospital each week to have this done is difficult sometimes a district nurse can be arranged to visit at home. It may also be possible for a family member or friend to be taught how to change the dressing.

The Christie has this information booklet about taking care of your PICC line that you might find helpful.

If you suspect anything is wrong with your PICC line it is important to contact your hospital team straight away.

We would always advise checking about the care of your PICC line with your specialist team so they can give you individual advice.

I hope the information is helpful, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if we can support you further.  

Best wishes

Heidi

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

Ref/ RH/HC