Procedure Name: PICC Line Placement
Department Responsible for performing Procedure:
PICC Team
Department Contact Information:
(770) 991-8136
Where to Report:
Please enter the hospital at the Outpatient Entrance and go to Registration. Even if you have recently been hospitalized, you must register. You will be directed to the correct unit from there.
What to Bring:
- Physician Order
- Any forms from your physician relating to this visit
- Your insurance / Medicaid / Medicare card
- Driver's License / Photo Identification
- All of your medications OR a listing of all medications along with the dose, how often you take it, and the last time you took it
- A list of all of your allergies
- Please check with your insurance carrier for any authorization requirements.
- Any films or reports from relevant studies not performed at Southern Regional.
Patient Instructions:
- These procedures require a scheduled appointment with Centralized Scheduling.
- Arrive 30 minutes ahead of appointment.
- Please read the Procedure Information for additional instructions and information.
- Please follow any other specific instructions given to you by your doctor.
Procedure Information:
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is an intravenous catheter designed for long-term use (over one week to several months.) A PICC can also be used for drawing blood or administering blood transfusions. The long catheter is placed in a vein at the bend of the arm and advanced into a large blood vessel in the chest. Usually a nurse places a PICC.
The nurse disinfects the skin over the puncture site and numbs the skin with a local anesthetic. The catheter is fed through the needle until it is in the correct location. The position is verified with an ultrasound. The needle is removed, the catheter is taped securely and a sterile dressing applied. The PICC can then be used. In between uses, the catheter is flushed with normal saline solution and then filled with heparin (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots that can clog the catheter.
Additional Information:
None Currently Available