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FLUSHING YOUR PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER
FLUSHING YOUR PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETERTRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 2)Whether you are receiving care in the hospital, as an outpatient, from a home carecompany, or are caring for yourself or a loved one, to ensure your long-term care iscomfortable and complication-free, your peripherally inserted central catheter must bekept in good working order.“Now, Mr. Shafer, what we’re going to do first is we’re just going to flush yourline…”Flushing your PICC line is a way of cleaning it on the inside to prevent infection andclotting. This is very important and is a regular part of daily care.Normally, you will flush your PICC line before and after getting medications or fluids;after getting your blood drawn; or once in the morning and night, when the PICC lineis not in use. If you or a loved one is flushing your PICC line, always follow the specificinstructions provided by your healthcare provider. Here are some general things tokeep in mind.When caring for your PICC line, always use an area that is clean and germ-free toprevent infection. Anybody coming in contact with your PICC line must wash theirhands thoroughly, using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.Any time your PICC line is flushed or medication is put into it, the injection cap mustbe cleaned with an alcohol wipe. Always let it air dry. Do not fan or blow on it.Usually, normal saline will be used to flush your PICC line. But your healthcareprovider may also prescribe a flush with heparin. Heparin is a medication thatprevents your blood from clotting, and can help keep the tube open.To flush your line, attach a syringe of normal saline solution to the injection cap andpush the solution through the tube. To give the saline a chance to clean the inside ofthe line thoroughly and prevent infection, you can push a little solution into thetube,20% gradient meshpause for one to two seconds, then push a little more in. Pause and repeat until all ofthe saline in the syringe is used.healthclipsOnce your PICC line is flushed, if you need medication at this time, wipe the injectionhealthclipscap with alcohol and let it dry. Then connect the medication to the injection cap. Afterall of your medication is given, the PICC line must be flushed again with normal salineto keep the line clean.healthclipshealthclips(Cont’d on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_gn_10197_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshFLUSHING YOUR PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETERTRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 2)If you also use heparin, always flush your PICC line with normal saline before heparin.Repeat these steps for each lumen in your PICC line, making sure you use differentsyringes for each port to prevent infection.If you will be taking care of your PICC line at home, practice these steps with yourhealthcare provider to get used to the routine. Remember, flush your PICC line withnormal saline solution. Give your medication or fluid. Flush with normal salinesolution. Flush with heparin, if prescribed.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_gn_10197_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
Learn when and how to safely change the injection cap on your PICC line.
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Watch how and when to safely change and throw away soiled dressings, and how to recognize signs of infection at the insertion site.
