PIC/PICC and extended peripheral catheters: Five years' experience in home care

Abstract

Peripherally inserted central and extended peripheral lines have greatly influenced provision of intravenous therapy in the home and alternate settings. Five years of experience through con current data collection from multiple sites (86) of a home infusion company are reported. Total catheter days (66,898), total cases (2,763), average catheter dwell time (25 days), and types of therapies (antibiotics 68%, pain management 7%, chemotherapy 4%, total parenteral nutrition 3%, hydration 4%, and miscellaneous 7%) are reported. Complications associated with these devices included phlebitis 7%, occlusion 7%, and infection 1% (0.10 per 100 catheter days). Key words: catheter, central venous catheter, home care, infection, intravenous, peripheral, phlebitis, PIC, PICC