We do not allow PICC patients to swim. No matter how well you cover the site having the extremity in water is not a good idea. The main concern would be the dressing loosening up and infection. Also, I would think that the arm movement from swimming could cause the catheter to pull back out of the SVC.
As for a tunneled catheter we instruct our patients not to swim until the site has healed about 3 - 4 weeks and then we recommend that they only swim in their owm pool if they have one. You never know what might be in a public pool or someone elses. Most patients do not swim with these devices. Margaret M Nicastro, CRNI,OCN Coordinator IV Therapy/Oncology 147 Gettys Street P.O. Box 3786 Gettysburg, PA 17325-0786 717-337-4312 717-337-4484 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.wellspan.org -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Peng, Kathleen Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 4:04 PM To: Penny Heyder; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: site protection from water We use a product here called Aquaguard. Their website is www.aqua-guard.com. It comes in a variety of sizes and works very well. I haven't heard of anyone swimming with a PICC. Not sure it's a good idea. Kathleen Peng, RN Nutrition Support Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas 214-345-7468 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Penny Heyder Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 2:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: FW: site protection from water I would be very interested in this information also. Penny Heyder -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ann Marie J. Frey Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 1:24 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: site protection from water Question for list: Do you allow patients with PICCs and tunneled central catheters to swim/shower, etc? If so, how do you waterproof the site? Supposedly the transparent dressing [Tegaderm or Sorba View in our case] is waterproof, but water still can seep in where the catheter exits the dressing. I work with neonates to adult sized patients, so the size and age range is quite broad. I have seen some commercial waterproofing devices, but have not used any of these. Any recommendations for showering/swimming and waterproofing both chest and arm central lines? Our current policy is to allow kids to swim in pools [depending on their counts] with tunneled, cuffed lines, but not PICCs. They can shower or bathe with either as long as the PICC is not submerged. Thanks in advance, Anne Marie The information contained in this message and any attachments is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are prohibited from copying, distributing, or using the information. Please contact the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message from your system. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email may contain confidential health information that is legally privileged. This information is intended for the use of the named recipient(s). The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is strictly prohibited. If you receive this e-mail message in error, please notify the sender immediately to arrange disposition of the information.
