Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Dressing Management Clinical Guideline
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Vascular access devices include:
These devices allow the easy administration of fluids, blood products and medications; and can permit monitoring of haemodynamic function, dialysis and collecting of blood specimens.
Vascular access devices can provide the route for healthcare associated infection, in particular, local infection or blood stream infections. Blood stream infections are an important cause of mortality, morbidity and prolonged hospitalisation.
Risk of infection is increased with prolonged duration of peripheral intravascular catheters.
Prevention and controlling infections related to invasive devices is a high priority patient safety issue covered in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
The SA Health Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Dressing Management Clinical Guideline (PDF 789KB) outlines the procedure for performing a dressing change for a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) that is secured with an adhesive securement device.
The SA Health Peripherally Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) Infection Prevention Clinical Directive (PDF 661KB) outlines best practice principles for the insertion and management of PIVC with a focus on infection prevention.
The SA Health Peripheral Intravenous Assessment Score (PIVAS) (PDF 253KB) provides healthcare workers the tools to assess patient intravenous catheters (PIVC) to minimise the risk of complications including infection.
Insertion of a vascular access device should only be undertaken by persons trained and competent in the technique.
Key points are:
Key points are:
Key points are:
The SA Health Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Dressing Management Clinical Guideline (PDF 789KB) outlines the procedure for performing a dressing change for a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) that is secured with an adhesive securement device.
The SA Health Peripherally Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) Infection Prevention Clinical Directive (PDF 661KB) outlines best practice principles for the insertion and management of PIVC with a focus on infection prevention.
For information how the patient can prevent infection if they go home with a PICC, read the following brochures and fact sheets:
Another type of device that may be necessary while you are in hospital is a Peripherally Intravenous Cannula (PIVC), also known as an intravenous (IV) drip. For further information how the patient/carer can help minimise the risk of infection in their IV drip while in hospital, please read the following consumer information:
The hospital infections page provide additional advice for patient, carer, family and visitors related to reducing the risk of infection.
For further information on the management of indwelling devices, contact SA Health's Infection Control Service on (08) 7425 7161.