What is a pick line? I al...

What is a pick line? I always see this but dont know what it is.

Cindy, A PICC Line is an IV of sorts, but it is meant to stay in longer if need be. An IV Type catheter is inserted into a large vein in the upper arm, the radiologist uses ultrasound to guide them. The catheter is fed through that vein into the Vena Cava (large vein in the chest). This eliminates the need for constant poking for an IV site for someone who is a difficult stick or someone who is on some sort of IV therapy that is ongoing. I had one because I was having some serious nausea and vomiting and was dehydrated constantly, I am a difficult poke on a good day, add dehydration and it is near impossible. I was poked 6 times by an anesthesia Dr and they are the best there is at finding veins. Mine stayed in 6 weeks, they can get infected the longer they are in, as mine did, but I would have one back in a heartbeat, as it beats the alternative. It is a bit tendar around the site the day it is inserted, then after that it becomes unnoticable. It gets flushed daily with heparin and saline. Blood can also be drawn from this if need be, so no more sticks there either. I hope this info helped Cindy, Sherri Swartz rny 12/20/2004 357/255 Dr Selwyn

that answer was great! my hubby has one in his left arm for the antibiotic that i have administered since early june-this will continue thru end of august-hopefully he will be done by then. it is relatively painless and he wears a "cuff" made from a tube sock to protect the ends from dangling and getting caught on things-