Patient experience with peripherally inserted central venous cateter (PICC)

Abstract

The Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC) is inserted by superficial or deep venous puncture, usually in the upper limbs, up to the vena cava, which gives it the functions of a central catheter. Around the world, the insertion procedure has been assigned to nurses. So far, little is known about customer experiences with PICC. The aim was to identify, in the scientific literature, the patient's experience regarding the use of the PICC. Method: integrative review, carried out in the EBSCO database, of articles published in the last 10 years, in English or Portuguese, whose central theme was the experience of patients with the use of PICC. The sample has 6 articles, 1 from 2014, 1 from 2016, 3 from 2017 and 1 from 2019, with authors nurses, doctors and psychologists, from the United States, Australia, England and South Korea. The main experiences reported are about relief by the interruption of multiple punctures and freedom of movement that the device provides. Of the experiences with a negative connotation, the articles talk about venous thrombosis, fear, pain, shame, difficulties in bathing, in performing activities of daily living, and the professionals' lack of knowledge to handle the device. All articles in this review have low strength of evidence. It emphasizes the need for continuing education in hospitals aimed at ongoing guidance and involvement of clients in their care, from decision-making based on risks and benefits, in order to improve their experiences with the PICC catheter.