I think you'll much prefer the PICC line. While there are always questions on here about problems with them, that really is not the majority of the time--it's just what you hear about. Before going to a port, I had a lot of PICC lines, and only one of them became infected and caused a blood clot. I think you'll find it's not bad at all. Good luck!
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First Time PICC line
- Thread starter Sarah2691
- Start date
T
TonyaH
Guest
I agree with Jana. The majority of Andrew's picc lines have given us no problems whatsoever. Trying to keep a peripheral iv in the entire time is impossible. You are guaranteed more sticks to place more peripherals. A picc would most likely be a one time procedure and last your entire treatment with no problems.
Two things I wanted to add, though...
1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
Tonya
Two things I wanted to add, though...
1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
Tonya
T
TonyaH
Guest
I agree with Jana. The majority of Andrew's picc lines have given us no problems whatsoever. Trying to keep a peripheral iv in the entire time is impossible. You are guaranteed more sticks to place more peripherals. A picc would most likely be a one time procedure and last your entire treatment with no problems.
Two things I wanted to add, though...
1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
Tonya
Two things I wanted to add, though...
1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
Tonya
T
TonyaH
Guest
I agree with Jana. The majority of Andrew's picc lines have given us no problems whatsoever. Trying to keep a peripheral iv in the entire time is impossible. You are guaranteed more sticks to place more peripherals. A picc would most likely be a one time procedure and last your entire treatment with no problems.
<br />
<br />Two things I wanted to add, though...
<br />
<br />1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
<br />
<br />2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
<br />
<br />Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
<br />Tonya
<br />
<br />Two things I wanted to add, though...
<br />
<br />1. Our hospital starts out with a minimum of 3 weeks on iv meds and goes from there on treatment depending on the infection. Unless you have been told otherwise, you may be on ivs longer than the two weeks that were discussed by previous posters.
<br />
<br />2. While some labs can be drawn through the picc line, some cannot. If you are on a medication that requires levels to be drawn (peak and trough is where they draw blood before and after your dose to see how your body is metabolizing the medication to ensure that you are on the right dose to be affective, yet safe for you), they cannot be drawn through the same line that you have been infusing the medication through. For that reason, we usually have a peripheral placed during the picc placement (which they use to lightly sedate Andrew), and we keep the line while in the hospital to run the medication. The picc is only used in the hospital for drawing the peak and trough. Once his level are correct, we pull the peripheral and use the picc line for meds. If you do not have a peripheral put in and they start infusing meds through your picc right away, you will have to have labs drawn peripherally. Now that Andrew is older her prefers this to having the iv in the entire time. But just be prepared to other pokes if you need levels done. Or, request the peripheral iv to get you through your hospitalization before going home.
<br />
<br />Good luck! I hope things go very well for you!
<br />Tonya
IVWinchester79
New member
<br>PICC is the way to go! Like they said, bad things rarely happen. Only one gave me fevers for a bit, but then they stopped. And it's way better than being stuck every few days when the vein gives out, especially if you're like me and it takes about four to nine sticks to get an IV started, not kidding. Not fun. I worship the person who invented the PICC. Plus, if you're on IV's for more than two weeks, PICCs last longer.
IVWinchester79
New member
<br>PICC is the way to go! Like they said, bad things rarely happen. Only one gave me fevers for a bit, but then they stopped. And it's way better than being stuck every few days when the vein gives out, especially if you're like me and it takes about four to nine sticks to get an IV started, not kidding. Not fun. I worship the person who invented the PICC. Plus, if you're on IV's for more than two weeks, PICCs last longer.
IVWinchester79
New member
<br>PICC is the way to go! Like they said, bad things rarely happen. Only one gave me fevers for a bit, but then they stopped. And it's way better than being stuck every few days when the vein gives out, especially if you're like me and it takes about four to nine sticks to get an IV started, not kidding. Not fun. I worship the person who invented the PICC. Plus, if you're on IV's for more than two weeks, PICCs last longer.
L
lizlas
Guest
<P>Tonya H</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P> </P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 cc saline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P> </P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 cc saline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
L
lizlas
Guest
<P>Tonya H</P>
<P></P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P></P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 ccsaline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
<P></P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P></P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 ccsaline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
L
lizlas
Guest
<P>Tonya H</P>
<P></P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P></P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 ccsaline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...<BR>and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
<P></P>
<P>Why cant they use the picc line if meds were infused??....after flushing with saline ...the first vial they draw is dicarded....</P>
<P></P>
<P>and do you s flush at the end of each I V with heparin....some people do and some dont...I flush with 10 ccsaline and then 3cc of 100 unit heparin and I never plug....my picc is a non valved but evn the groshong valved picc has plugged on me, if I dont do final flush with heparin...<BR>and I dont juse a pump I just run by gravity......</P>
T
TonyaH
Guest
For regular labs..(ie. cbc, bun, creatinine, etc.) you can use the line. All I was saying is that if drug levels need to be run that lab work cannot be taken from the line that has infused the medication. Because they are testing the level of medication in the blood, any medication remaining in the line (even after flushing it), could skew the lab results. Not all medications require levels be run. But some, like aminoglycosides, need to be monitored for safety.
And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
T
TonyaH
Guest
For regular labs..(ie. cbc, bun, creatinine, etc.) you can use the line. All I was saying is that if drug levels need to be run that lab work cannot be taken from the line that has infused the medication. Because they are testing the level of medication in the blood, any medication remaining in the line (even after flushing it), could skew the lab results. Not all medications require levels be run. But some, like aminoglycosides, need to be monitored for safety.
And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
T
TonyaH
Guest
For regular labs..(ie. cbc, bun, creatinine, etc.) you can use the line. All I was saying is that if drug levels need to be run that lab work cannot be taken from the line that has infused the medication. Because they are testing the level of medication in the blood, any medication remaining in the line (even after flushing it), could skew the lab results. Not all medications require levels be run. But some, like aminoglycosides, need to be monitored for safety.
<br />
<br />And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
<br />
<br />And yes, we flush before and after every infusion using the SASH method,,,saline, administer, saline, heparin.
When Emily did IV's this past spring the picc was good for everything except drawing tobra levels. Like Andrew, she chose to have them do a tiny little draw rather than keeping a peripheral just for that- the line that was placed when she was admitted infiltrated really fast (she had a few doses of the meds given through it before the picc was placed, and as posted- those are very harsh. She can normally keep a line for a good 4 days, sometimes more, but after running tobra and ceftaz 3x it was done.) They let her choose the spot- inner elbow, hand or finger prick, and she went with hand each time. They need such a tiny amount for a levels check she barely felt it. Oh and she had a (valved) power picc and we did not have to use heparin, just saline before and after each med. In the 3wks she used it, no problems at all. Since she used the eclipse balls we did not have to worry about a pump, syringes, etc.
When Emily did IV's this past spring the picc was good for everything except drawing tobra levels. Like Andrew, she chose to have them do a tiny little draw rather than keeping a peripheral just for that- the line that was placed when she was admitted infiltrated really fast (she had a few doses of the meds given through it before the picc was placed, and as posted- those are very harsh. She can normally keep a line for a good 4 days, sometimes more, but after running tobra and ceftaz 3x it was done.) They let her choose the spot- inner elbow, hand or finger prick, and she went with hand each time. They need such a tiny amount for a levels check she barely felt it. Oh and she had a (valved) power picc and we did not have to use heparin, just saline before and after each med. In the 3wks she used it, no problems at all. Since she used the eclipse balls we did not have to worry about a pump, syringes, etc.
When Emily did IV's this past spring the picc was good for everything except drawing tobra levels. Like Andrew, she chose to have them do a tiny little draw rather than keeping a peripheral just for that- the line that was placed when she was admitted infiltrated really fast (she had a few doses of the meds given through it before the picc was placed, and as posted- those are very harsh. She can normally keep a line for a good 4 days, sometimes more, but after running tobra and ceftaz 3x it was done.) They let her choose the spot- inner elbow, hand or finger prick, and she went with hand each time. They need such a tiny amount for a levels check she barely felt it. Oh and she had a (valved) power picc and we did not have to use heparin, just saline before and after each med. In the 3wks she used it, no problems at all. Since she used the eclipse balls we did not have to worry about a pump, syringes, etc.
L
lizlas
Guest
<P>HMW</P>
<P> </P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
<P> </P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
L
lizlas
Guest
<P>HMW</P>
<P></P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
<P></P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
L
lizlas
Guest
<P><BR>HMW</P>
<P></P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
<P></P>
<P>hi....what are eclipse balls? dont think we have that here in ontario....</P>
They are prefilled and you keep them in the fridge; ours were about the size of lemons. You screw the end of the tubing into the end of the picc line, unclamp, and depending on med / dose it varies on time to run. Ours took about 45min as long as we took them out of the fridge a couple hours early to let them warm up. <br><br>Here is a link: <a target="" title="" href="http://www.iflo.com/prod_homepump.php">http://www.iflo.com/prod_homepump.php</a> <br><br>There are a couple other brand names for these kind of abx, they work essentially the same way. <br>