Peripherally inserted central epicutaneous catheter in neonates

Abstract

Getting a safe venous access in Neonatal Intensive Care Units represents one of the greatest challenges for the team. PICC constitutes a safe and prolonged access, which allows the infusion of fluids with high flows, continuous parenteral nutrition that presents a high osmolarity index, as well as vesicant drugs for the intimal layer of the vein. It consists of the implantation of a slim catheter by means of the puncture of a peripheral vein until its location in the central vascular tree. Its insertion and handling have been carried out under strict aseptic standards, and it is mandatory to monitor the neonate during the technique. Some of the main advantages compared to other types of venous lines are the reduction in the hospital stay of the newborn inside the intensive care unit, the lower risk of occlusion and a greater permanence than other catheters, with less frequency of change which implies lower infectious risk. This type of catheter is nurses responsabily. For this reason, knowledge of the insertion, maintenance and removal technique, as well as possible complications, became essential.