Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Infections
Definition
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) infection is a serious infection. The infection happens in the bloodstream. It affects those with a central line catheter. A PICC is a long tube inserted through a vein in the arm. It is commonly called a PICC line. It is used to give medicine, nutrition, IV fluids, and chemotherapy.
Veins in the ArmCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
A PICC infection can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition.
Causes TOP
A PICC infection is caused by bacteria on a central line catheter. From the catheter, they can get into the bloodstream. This can happen from bacteria that normally live on the skin.
Risk Factors TOP
Things that raise the risk of PICC infection are:
- Severe illness
- A weak immune system
- An infection elsewhere in the body or skin
- Long time use of a catheter (more than 48 hours)
- Problems with the catheter
- A catheter that is not coated with an anti-germ substance
Symptoms TOP
Symptoms of a PICC infection may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fast heart rate
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the catheter site
- Drainage from the catheter site
Diagnosis TOP
The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done.
Tests will be done to diagnose the infection. They may include:
- Blood tests
- Cultures
- Echocardiogram
Treatment TOP
The goal is to clear the infection. This involves:
- Antibiotics—medicines to treat the infection
- Central line care—often, removing the PICC line and replacing it with a new one
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov
Society of Critical Care Medicine
http://www.sccm.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
Canadian Patient Safety Institute
http://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca
REFERENCES:
Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/bsi/bsi.html . Accessed March 2, 2018.
Central venous catheter. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/procedure/central-venous-catheter. Accessed September 14, 2021.
Central venous catheter. American Thoracic Society website. Available at: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/central-venous-catheter.pdf. Accessed September 14, 2021.
Saugel B, Scheeren TWL, et al. Ultrasound-guided central venous catheter placement: a structured review and recommendations for clinical practice. Crit Care. 2017;21(1):225.
Last reviewed July 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Nicole Meregian, PA
Last Updated: 9/14/2021