Can the maintenance interval for a PICC line exceed 7 days?

The maintenance interval for a PICC line should not exceed 7 days.

PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. This procedure involves inserting a catheter through a peripheral vein in the arm, guiding it to a large vessel near the heart. Therefore, proper maintenance is crucial, primarily to prevent infection. The first maintenance should be performed within 24 hours after catheter placement. Maintenance includes cleaning the insertion site, changing the dressing, flushing the catheter, and replacing the heparin cap. Additionally, the puncture site should be assessed for signs of redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge. If any bleeding, moisture, or loosening of the dressing is observed, immediate replacement is required. If the wound is healing well without bleeding or exudate, routine maintenance should be carried out at least once every 7 days. During the duration of the PICC placement, the insertion site must be closely monitored. Should any discharge, redness, or swelling occur, the nurse should be informed promptly for timely maintenance.

PICC catheters are made of silicone material, which is soft, elastic, and adheres well to the vein, making dislodgement unlikely. Thus, they are clinically used for medium- to long-term intravenous therapy. However, standard practice requires PICC maintenance every 7 days. Failure to flush and maintain the catheter within this timeframe may lead to catheter contamination or complications such as deep vein thrombosis in the patient. Therefore, exceeding the 7-day maintenance interval is not acceptable.