I need someone in the Central CT area to stitch up a child's PICC line for the second time. The PICC line has been in 6 months and looks good...so does the skin. There is no fever or infection.
I am reluctant to bring him back to the hospital where they put the line in (6 months ago) and have already re-stitched him once. I am afraid they will want to pull the line or start balking or asking questions.
Can I go to a walk-in? Any suggestions of who else to see would be appreciated.
Posted by NP40 (Member # 6711) on :
Perhaps the home nurse could restitch it ? The local hospital must have restitched my son's PICC at least half a dozen times. He'd get the line caught on chairs, etc. while walking around doing his infusions.
Though the hospital put the line in they may not be able to pull it without the LLMD's orders. You need to get that line stationary, don't want it moving around as it increases the chance of sepsis.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
My second time around with a PIC, I had a sock like thing that they put over the line while I was not doing infusions.
IT really helped me from getting it caught on things.
It is the same thing that they use to cover burns.
I might have some around here if you can not get a hold of some.
I will mail them to you when I am able to get out and about.
I had stitches at first but once they were gone, they were not restitched.
I also had a clamp like device that was put on that really helped to hold the PIC in place at insertion the second time around.
The first time around there was nothing but tape to hold things down. Very poor.
Second time around another state did the PIC and supplies. Big improvement.
Posted by char (Member # 8315) on :
I don't have experience or advice on getting stitches.
I sympathize with the piccline challenges. IV abx helped my kids a lot, but lots of stress.
My daughter has had 4 and I think you are smart to fight to hold on to this one if it is a good one and skin is not irritated.
If I could do it over, I would have been more directive with drs in our situation.
Go mom!
Char
Posted by AP (Member # 8430) on :
This may not help you now, but it may help someone else...
Stitching in a PICC line is on its way out. My first PICC was placed in Virginia Beach in Feb 2005. It was stitched in. I only had it for 6 weeks and kept it well protected, so I didn't have problems, other than a slight infection in one of the stitches my last couple days.
My second, third and fourth PICC lines (I had clots and other problems) were placed in Huntersville, NC April through June of 2006. They used a STAT LOCK. It's got an adhesive back that sticks to your skin, and the PICC line clips in. I loved it. We'd change it every time we'd do a dressing change.
Now, the hospital and nursing agency in my area (Virginia Beach) use stat locks... This summer, they'd look at us like we were practicing vodoo when they'd see it. Now, they're happy to be using them, though it's still a little less common then the sutures.
Obviously, it's a little more convenient for those of us with long term lines. I had to specifically request that I get a stat lock with the current PICC line, but they were happy to do it.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
My last picc was stitched down, the previous ones weren't. It took less than a week for the stitches to pull out.
We just had it well ster-stripped doan all the time and had the tubing looped and taped. I kept the whole thing coevered like Kam said. It was way better adn more comfortable than sticthes.
The stitches tearing out left a scar. The picc lines didn't.
I don't know if your child's picc is in a spot or the type that can just be steri-stripped down, adequately, but consider it if it's possible. Well, it worked fo me. And while I am technically not a child; I do get into some stuff.
Pardon me, if I've misunderstood the question.
Posted by Travlr1 (Member # 9681) on :
lalalu,
Just go to a small urgent care center located in the suburbs. They stitch things all the time. Just make sure they use good sterile technique while doing it.
Just because a Doc is working at an urgent care clinic doesn't mean they aren't a decent MD. Many docs go into urgent care becuase they get to go home after work-no call etc.
Just an option to consider.I too have an infected child so I hope yours gets well soon.
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