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Infection and thrombosis are the two most serious complications associated with PICCs or any other CVC. What is the most common emergency seen in patients with PICC lines? PICCs are used for short-term delivery of IV medications, usually over weeks. The choice of which one to use is based on how long the catheter will be left in place. Outside of the body, the PICC line divides into single, double, or triple lumens.Īlthough there are many different types and brands of access devices, the two main categories are PICC lines and ports. The distal end of a PICC line catheter should reside in the lower 1/3 of the superior vena cava at the CAJ junction. If blood withdrawal remains absent, flush the PICC with 3-5mls of saline. If the PICC fails to give a blood return, flush the PICC with saline and ask the patient to move position, take a deep breath or cough whilst attempting to get a blood return.
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If the PICC is big enough, it can be used to draw blood.Ĭan you use PICC line with no blood return? A PICC is used to give medications, fluids and IV nutrition. Each lumen/line will allow for separate infusions through an individual lumen.Ī double lumen PICC has two separate tubings and two caps. The blue port is the medial one, opening up somewhere along here…Ģ. What color is the medial port on a PICC line?īlue portThe brown port opens up distally, at the tip. All catheter tube extensions are labeled with port name, gauge, and flush volume. The line with the red hub should be used for power injection. What is the red port on the PICC line used for?Ĭook Spectrum PICC. The proximal is the brown cap and is used for blood draws, the distal (white cap) is the port used for infusions like TPN and the medial port is used for routine fluids and IV meds on a pump. If I remember correctly, the triple lumen has a proximal, medial and distal port. The veins in your arms are called peripheral veins. Examples of other types of central venous catheters include implantable ports and central lines. These can be labelled, but usually aren’t.Ī PICC line is one type of catheter used to access the large veins in your chest (central venous catheter). Red could be to draw blood, blue for IV medications, another port, ie: white, could be used for chemotherapy. What do the different coloured ports on a PICC line mean?Īll PICC lines I have used have multiple ports that are usually coloured. There are many benefits to PICC lines vs. The catheter hub contains up to three color-coded lumens to signify blood products or medication delivery. White lumen is for medication and IV fluid delivery. Brown or purple lumen designates blood sampling or administering blood products. The types of PICC lines or colors of lumens designate its use. What are the different types of PICC lines?
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