Website design By BotEap.comThe first is the first. What is a PICC line?
Website design By BotEap.comPICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. They are used to directly access the largest blood vessels in the body. PICC catheters are inserted if patients are to receive large amounts of intravenous medication, volatile medications (such as heavy-duty antibiotics), or if they are to receive medication for a long period of time.
Website design By BotEap.comPICC lines are unique because they are inserted peripherally, that is, from the arm. The catheter travels through the vessels of the arm to the heart.
Website design By BotEap.comThere is a wealth of information about PICC line care on the Internet, but it is difficult to decipher whether a PICC line is open or closed. To distinguish between the two just by looking:
Website design By BotEap.comFind the clamp.
Website design By BotEap.comWhy? Here is the explanation:
Website design By BotEap.comImagine the PICC line inside the body. It is a thin, rubber-like catheter. The most important part is the end.
Website design By BotEap.comAn open-ended PICC has an opening at the end, which allows fluids and medications to enter and blood to be drawn. You can imagine it looks like a garden hose: tubular, with one open end.
Website design By BotEap.comIn contrast, a closed-end PICC has a thin slit-shaped valve on the side that provides the same function. The end is not open. In fact, it looks like a cone or it can be smooth like the front of an airplane.
Website design By BotEap.comWhat is the difference?
Website design By BotEap.comThe open-ended PICC creates turbulence as blood passes through.
Website design By BotEap.comSince the tip is not smooth, blood does not flow very easily. The problem is that the turbulence causes the blood to clot inside the vessel. A clotted PICC line is the worst type of PICC line. To prevent clotting, these types of PICC lines must be heparinized. (That means a saline flush followed by a heparin flush after use. Heparin, an anticoagulant, prevents blood from clotting).
Website design By BotEap.comOn the other hand, the soft and more “streamlined” tip of the closed end PICC facilitates blood flow and therefore does not require a heparin flush.
Website design By BotEap.comWhy is there a clamp?
Website design By BotEap.comThe closed-end PICC has a valve, so you do not need a clamp. A valve lets flow one way, but not another. The “slit” in the side of the catheter is specially made to allow fluid to flow out of the catheter, but not allow blood to enter.
Website design By BotEap.comAn open-ended PICC, on the other hand, does not have a valve. Nothing prevents blood from entering the catheter. So to avoid that, a clamp cuts off the movement of the fluid (just like a drinking straw catches whatever liquid is inside. Nothing goes in, nothing comes out).
Website design By BotEap.comWhat is a Groshong PICC?
Website design By BotEap.comYou may have heard of these. It’s very simple. Groshong is the trade name for a closed PICC. In Groshong
it is a closed PICC.
Website design By BotEap.comAgain:
Website design By BotEap.comJust look for the clamp!
Website design By BotEap.comHappy documentation, nurses!
