Instructed patient about when should you seek
immediate help? Call nurse or go to the emergency room if: The area around where the catheter enters your skin looks red,
feels warm or painful, or it is oozing fluid. You see a red line going up your arm from the place where the catheter enters your
skin. Your arm will also be painful.
Instructed patient / caregiver for minimizing problems associated with PICC lines, guidelines include: Always wash hands before touching the PICC line, do not allow any sharp objects near the line, do not clean the skin near the line with any acetone containing cleanser.
Instructed patient check your skin where the
catheter enters it every day. Look for signs of infection and other problems. Instructed patient call your health care provider if you: Have bleeding, redness or swelling at the PICC line or Midline site, have pain near the site or in your arm, have signs
of infection (fever, chills), are short of breath.
Skilled nurse performed PICC line dressing change , prepare to change your dressing in a sterile (very clean) way ,
Remove the dressing and check patient's skin, clean the area and catheter, place a new dressing, Tape the catheter to
secure it and write down the date you changed your dressing.
Instructed patient when skin redness where the tape or dressing was the nurse may need to change the dressing size or the type of tape or dressing used. Call home care nurse.
Instructed patient watch for signs of problems. Pay attention to how much of the catheter sticks out from your skin. If this changes at all, let your health care provider know. Also watch for cracks, leaks, or other damage. And if the dressing becomes dirty, loose, or wet, change it or call your health care team right away.
Instructed patient how prevent infections: To wash your hands with soap and water: Wet your hands with warm water, avoid hot water, which can cause skin irritation when you wash your hands often. Apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of your hands, including your fingers.
Instructed patient watch for signs of problems. Pay attention to how much of the catheter sticks out from your skin. If this changes at all, let your healthcare provider know. Also watch for cracks, leaks, or other damage. And if the dressing becomes dirty, loose, or wet, change it (if you have been instructed to) or call your healthcare team right away.