PICC Line Insertion

What is a PICC line?

A PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube which is inserted into one of the veins in your arm. It is then slid into the vein until the tip of the line sits in a large vein, in the top of your chest.

There will be about 10cm / 4 inches of the line remaining outside your arm. It has a plastic clamp on it, which must always be closed when the line is not in use. It will also have a plastic bung or cap attached to the end of the line when it is not in use. The PICC line will be covered with a transparent waterproof dressing, which should be redressed weekly.

Why would I need to have a PICC line?

The PICC line can be used to give you treatments such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, intravenous fluids and feeding. It can also be used to take samples of your blood for testing. If it is appropriate, you can go home with the PICC line in and it can be left in for weeks or months.

How is the PICC line put in?

Your PICC line will be put in by a specially-trained radiographer, nurse or doctor, in the X-ray department. First, the skin in the area where the PICC line will be inserted is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A local anaesthetic injection is then given to numb the area. An ultrasound machine is often used to help find a suitable vein for the PICC line to be inserted into.

Once a suitable vein has been identified, a small hollow tube is placed into the vein. The PICC line can then be guided in through the hollow tube and into the large vein in your chest. The final position of the PICC line is checked using an X-ray machine. 

Once in the correct place, the line is secured to the skin and a see-through dressing applied. The procedure will take about 30 minutes. You will de discharged the same day.