PICC Lines

Venous Access

PICC Lines Plus is the one of the largest PICC Placement Companies in the nation. We are owned and operated by seasoned registered nurses and pharmacists. Since 2007, we have and continue to service some of the finest healthcare institutions throughout the state.  PICC Lines Plus is the leading specialty provider of PICC lines to patients at their bedside.

Our goal is to provide timely, professional, and compassionate services to our clients in all healthcare settings. Committed to furthering educational opportunities in our community, PICC Lines Plus is affiliated with City College and Nova Southeastern University.

Our PICC placement team consists of experienced, PICC-certified, critical care area nurses who meet our rigid standards for PICC placement, infection control, and excellent customer service. We have throughout our history, placed thousands of PICCs and boast a success rate of greater than 99% with an infection rate of nearly zero.

PICC Lines Plus provides venous access services in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, outpatient centers, and physicians’ offices.

PICC Lines Plus is registered with The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA, Florida), #974.  In the state of Florida, a company must be registered with AHCA’s Health Care Services Pool in order to provide PICC Line services to a hospital or medical facility.

PICC Lines

A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for prolonged periods of time. Using an ultrasound location device and maximum barrier precautions, the catheter is inserted in the basilic, brachial, or cephalic vein in the upper arm and advanced toward the heart with the tip resting in the distal superior vena cava or cavoatrial junction. Tip location is confirmed via standard chest X-ray.

PICCs vary in length from 35 – 60 cm and are usually made of flexible polyurethane. They may have one, two, or even three lumens for multiple simultaneous infusions, if necessary.

PICCs are often indicated for:

• Long-term antibiotic therapy
• Total parenteral nutrition
• Hyperosmolar, vesicant or irritating solutions
• Limited venous access
• Simultaneous medication administration

Advantages of PICCs over other forms of central venous access:

• Longer dwell time
• Lower chance of infection
• Less post-insertion potential complications
• Variety of insertion settings

Midline

Midline catheters are peripheral venous access devices that vary in length between 7.5 –  20 cm. Midlines are usually placed in the upper arm vein such as the basilic, brachial, or cephalic using an ultrasound for guidance. The tip of the midline catheter ends below the level of the axillary line.

Indications for Midline Catheters

• Difficult venous access
• Long term (2-4 week) infusion of non-vesicant, non-hyperosmolar or non-corrosive medications
• Limited peripheral veins
• IV Therapy for more than 3 days (the life of most peripheral IVs)

Advantages of Midline Catheters

• Patient comfort- fewer re-starts that peripheral IVs
• Longer dwell time (2-4 weeks)
• Lower risk of infection
• No X-ray required prior to use
• Decrease chance of extravasation of infusate
• Less costly than multiple re-starts

Peripheral IV

A peripheral intravenous catheter is a small flexible tube placed in a vein if the hand or forearm. The catheter is advanced into the vein over a needle, which is subsequently withdrawn, leaving the flexible tube in place. The catheter is secured in place to the skin using tape and/or a clear transparent dressing.

Peripheral intravenous catheters are sufficient for fluid and electrolyte administration, many antibiotics, and to provide general venous access. Peripheral venous catheters are generally left in place for only 2 – 3 days, and must be reinserted at another site.

Indications for Peripheral IV

• Short term venous access (2-3 days).
• Fluid and/or medication administration

Advantages for Peripheral IV

• Ease of insertion
• Short duration
• No special equipment necessary