2006-08-04 01:40:59 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
yes, they put an IV line into your vein, and cap it until you're ready to received your antibiotics. It's usually good for about 3-5 days.
2006-08-04 01:44:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep PICC peripherally inserted central Cather (excuse my spelling, just got home from work and I'm a little tired).
It's a special IV that starts in the arm but the plastic tube inside the vein goes all the way to the vena cava (aka the huge vein near your heat). They put this in because it lasts longer then a normal IV, PICCs can last several weeks. When the person goes home they will usually have a home health nurse who comes out and helps them with PICC care and teaches them how to take Care of the PICC. Before going home with the PICC make sure that you completely understand what to do. Get printed material. It is not that complicated but it can be kinda scary to do it the first few times.
We discharge alot of people with PICC lines so they can get antibiotics at home.
2006-08-04 09:01:28 · answer #2 · answered by frogsandducks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)
"What is a central venous catheter?
A central venous catheter, or vascular access device (VAD), is a long, thin, flexible tube used to give medications, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time, usually several weeks or more. The catheter is inserted through the skin into a vein often in the neck or chest. It is threaded through the vein until it reaches a large vein near the heart.
What is a central venous catheter used for?
Central venous catheters are used to:
* Give long-term medication treatment for pain, infection, cancer, or to supply nutrition. A central venous catheter can be left in place far longer than an intravenous catheter (IV), which gives medications into a vein near the skin surface.
* Give medications that affect the heart, especially if a quick response is wanted.
* Measure the blood pressure in the superior vena cava, which can help diagnose certain heart problems."
2006-08-04 08:48:47 · answer #3 · answered by christiliz17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have known several people that have had them, it just allows a person to receive medications through the iv without having to be stuck w/ a needle each time - the little tube thing stays in your arm and the medication just gets hooked up each time to the tube. Not a great answer, hopefully someone that has had one will answer, too!
2006-08-04 08:45:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, my friend had an infection in her blood stream that went deep into her elbow... she wore a pick line for about 2 weeks after her surgery.
2006-08-04 08:45:00 · answer #5 · answered by ROSIE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep.
2006-08-04 08:44:23 · answer #6 · answered by Cookie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom had one when she was sick.
2006-08-04 08:45:12 · answer #7 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋