How should I take care of my child’s PICC line site?
- Keep the dressing on for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, you may remove the dressing and shower or bathe as usual.
- If there is any bleeding, apply gentle pressure for 2 minutes. If it continues, call your child’s doctor.
When should I call my child’s doctor?
- Fever
- The skin around the removal site feels hot, swollen or tighter the usual
- The skin around the removal site has redness that may appear as darker, paler, or more purple than red in dark skin tones
- Any drainage
- Pain
- Bleeding that does not stop after 2 minutes
To Learn More
- Ask your child's healthcare provider
- seattlechildrens.org/patient-education
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
