Facts About PICC Lines

5. Additional Reasons for PICC Lines

PICC lines cut down on patient discomfort and allow for long-term treatments outside of a hospital setting. Standard IVs should only be left in the arm for a limited period. PICC lines last for up to 12 months as long as the site remains free from infection. Dehydration and fragile blood vessels present a challenge when providing treatment of serious diseases. Administering medications in a standard way is not always possible. PICC lines allow the administration of medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, that are damaging to the skin not only around the IV site but within the vessel itself. With PICC lines, more than one medication may be administered at a time without mixing them.

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