PICC or PORT-A-Cath are indicated when patient therapy requires repeated vascular access for injection or infusion therapy and/or venous blood sampling.

Some patients require a particular medication that can result in harm if administered via peripheral veins such as the veins in your arms or hands. In that case, your medical provider may require you to obtain a PICC or Port. 

Port access is surgically placed in the body by a surgeon within the operating room commonly done under anesthesia depending on the individual. A port-a-cath is usually placed under the skin on the right side of the chest. It is attached to a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) that is threaded into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. The location of the port is determined by the surgeon and the anatomy of the individual.

To use the port, a nurse sticks a special needle through the skin and into the port’s septum. Ports can be left in for no more than 7 calendar days or once when treatment is done that same day. 

A PICC line is commonly used as a short-term delivery. A PICC line dressing change is needed every 7 calendar days to reduce the growth of bacteria at the point of entry. The PICC line comes in a variety of different lengths and sizes and can range from a single lumen or a triple lumen. 

A PICC line can deliver multiple medications at once based on the compatibility of the medications administered, along with obtaining blood samples from a particular lumen from the existing port. Studies show PICC lines allow the patient to not be stuck with a needle multiple times, especially when vein access is limited.

A PICC line is usually inserted in a vein in your upper arm, above your inner elbow. The arm used depends on your doctor and the anatomy of the individual, but usually, the nondominant arm is used. The doctor or nurse may use an ultrasound machine to assess the veins in your arm and make sure they’re healthy enough to use. 

Both PICC and Central Port accesses require constant care by a trained professional.

Our nurses are highly skilled in port assessments and care. At each visit, the nurse will examine the port for signs of infection or deterioration, and new sterile dressings and caps are changed every 7 days. With proper care and maintenance, a port or PICC line can remain viable for years. Any changes that are found are documented and provided to your doctor for further examination.