picc line question

masonsmom

Regular Member

Joined : May 2008

Posts : 84

Posted 10/16/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)

does a picc line have to be flushed everyday? my dads was inserted on tuesday and we have no meds yet-we don't want it to clot up!

kandinsky

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 2300

Posted 10/17/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

When I had my picc line I had to flush it everyday with heparin (2x/24hr).

hiker53

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2008

Posts : 81

Posted 10/17/2008 12:46 AM (GMT 0)

I flushed my picc line every day, but mine was with saline. I did not use heparin. I flushed it before the infusion and after. If I did not do an infusion, I did flush it every day still.

Hiker53

petma

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2008

Posts : 53

Posted 10/18/2008 12:38 PM (GMT 0)

HI! It's really important to flush the PICC line daily, and certainly before administering any IV antibiotics. This will keep the line patent so he can receive the antibiotics.....if the line becomes clotted he may need to have it replaced, which is just another discomfort.....I had my line in for 6 weeks and flushed it daily....any IV cath needs to be flushed.....Good luck to you!

Petma

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