Anyway, make sure you don't let them draw their weekly bloodwork thru your PICC.

We were told to just flush it with saline. We were also told it was very common.....but it never happened to me.

frenchbraid

As long as you used heparin last then there is no way for the blood to clot in the line.

Usually it only looks like it's full of blood when really there is just a small amount lining the wall of the tube.

I never had a problem even though I had blood in the line all the time.

My son and I have had lines quite a while, and we rarely have that happen.

Do you have blood drawn from your PICC?

Our Docs advise never to do that. Take the stick in the other arm to protect the line.

Also..do you have a clamp on your line or on the exiension tube? Some of the newer claves don't require one, however sometimes adding an extra clamp doesn't hurt. Keeping it closed when not in use can help prevent backflow.

I have a Cook catheter, an older style, but it is with a good sturdy clamp. Blood only comes into the line if I accidentally leave it open.

I have experienced what felt like the beginning of a clog (resistance when flushing) during two of the times I did have backflow.

Hope this helps some,
Mo

If your picc line is filling with blood on a regular basis after you hep-lock it, you might consult your nursing service. They can show you the technique for hep-locking your line that is best suited for your device.

Be sure to ask them how to ensure a slightly turbulent flow, safely. This will ensure that all the meds and saline is washed out of the line and the hep-lock holds.

A laminar (smoothe, without turbulence) flow will not flush the antibiotic or saline out fully. When done properly, your hep-lock should not allow red blood cells to enter the tubing in between use.

A nurse can show you how to do this safely, as it does not require too much pressure to create the turbulence. Too much pressure can cause problems or failure with the line.

You just got much better advise than mine from LoneStarTick...

It really does depend on your particular rig.

Mo

They actually saw it fill with blood during the dressing change. It was fully clamped off too.It flushes without resistance.....I had to flush it 8 times in six hours.

Will probably have the lined pulled tomorrow considering that I only have 3 doses of abx left. It doesn't make sense to me to stop abx when you still have symptoms.

You shouldn't have to flush your line so many times. The blood in the line is ok. It actually means that the line is still working. As long as it is red, just leave it until your normal infusion or heparin flush/lock. Mine fills with blood after I cycle a few miles. My nurse says it is ok. Also, I don't think you are supposed to "flush" with saline each time, just the heparin. If you are concerned you should talk to your MD. Sounds like your nurses may not have the answer. Take care.

There's a little "cap" at the end of our picc line...and I believe it's some sort of metal so they can xray you and see how close it is to your heart etc...

Well, that cap is supposed to be pushed open when you flush or infuse...and then re-seal itself...but maybe it got stuck open...so that's why you get the back flow...?

When you flush...do you do it in little short increments or do you do one steady push...It's technically supposed to be in small short increments...

Just thinking of possibilities...

I think you may be right. It does seem like some kind of valve is stuck open. Maybe if I try the short interrupted method it will help.
It's worth a try.....nothing else has worked.

If it doesn't work, they are going to pull the line on Tues.

Thanks again,
Pitnum