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Dava Brown
Activity limitations post-PICC
Our patient instructions include to keep affected arm elevated on a pillow and to avoid pulling self up in bed or doing any heavy lifting for the first 48 hours post PICC placement.  Are these limitations required and, if so, where can I find evidence to support this?  These activity limitations have led to patients missing needed physical therapy.
rivka livni
If the tip is near the
If the tip is near the atrium, there is no limitations except no cartwheel, no standing on your hands, avoid trendelnberg so that the catheter does not "float" up in the chest.
lynncrni
I would instruct your
I would instruct your patients to avoid repetitive activities with the arm and activities that require heavy lifting. What you have described - moving in bed, etc- is what I would consider activities of daily living. If repetitive activities with the upper arm are needed for physical therapy, a PICC may not be the best VAD for those patients. Lynn

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI

Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.

PO Box 10

Milner, GA 30257

Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com

Office Phone 770-358-7861

Tony West
Tony West, RN, CRNI Healix,

Tony West, RN, CRNI

Healix, Inc.

Cell: 214-674-4848

Tony West, RN, CRNI

Healix, Inc.

Cell: 214-674-4848

Tony West
I go with Lynn here. I have

I go with Lynn here. I have seen significant phelebitis with repetitive movements.

1) Pitched softball game.

2) Nail tech-think of the back and forth filing motion.

 So large or small motions have caused problems. The key being repetitive. Wish there was a magic formula but there is not. 

 No heavy lifting is good advice. I agree typical ADLs are acceptable. 

Tony West, RN, CRNI

Healix, Inc.

Cell: 214-674-4848

Tony West, RN, CRNI

Healix, Inc.

Cell: 214-674-4848

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