PICC removal: Caring for your child at home after the procedure

Your child has had a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) removal. The information on this page explains how to care for your child at home after the procedure, and when to call for help.

Discharge from the hospital

Most children who have a PICC removal go home 30 minutes after the procedure. Some children remain in the hospital to receive additional treatment. The length of time your child remains at the hospital differs depending on the reason for the removal.

Dressing Care

Leave the dressing on for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the dressing can be removed if the site has scabbed underneath. Once the dressing is removed, your child may get the site wet.

Bathing

Your child may shower or take a bath after the PICC is removed. However, it is important to try to keep the dressing and the PICC site dry for 48 hours. If the dressing gets wet within the 48 hours, replace it with a new one.

Pain Relief

If needed, give your child acetaminophen for pain. Do not give your child any medicines that will thin the blood, such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or ibuprofen, without checking with a nurse or your child's doctor first.

Activity

Your child may return to regular activities 24 hours after the procedure.

When to see a doctor?

Call your child’s doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Department right away if your child has any of the following:

• A fever higher than 38°C (100.4°F)
• Pain requiring acetaminophen after 48 hours
• Bleeding that does not stop with pressure around the old PICC site
• Leakage or drainage at the old PICC site

At SickKids

At SickKids, the interventional radiologists work in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging – Division of Image Guided Therapy (IGT). You can call and speak to the Vascular Access Service resource nurse at (416) 813-6986 during working hours, or leave a message with the Vascular Access Team. If you have concerns and it is after working hours, please call The Hospital for Sick Children switchboard at 416-813-7500 and ask them to page your child’s doctor on call, or go to the nearest Emergency Department.