PICC Line Service

The Radiology Department provides a bedside Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) insertion service.  Patients are assessed prior to insertion by specially trained Practitioners from the Vascular Access Team.  Provided the patients meet the criteria, their PICC are placed at the bedside under ultrasound guidance.  PICCs can then be used immediately as they are signed off as safe to use at the time of insertion, meaning there is no delay in starting the patient’s treatment.

Previously, inpatients were transported to Interventional Radiology and the PICC was placed by an Interventional Radiologist under fluoroscopy (realtime X-ray images).  Placing PICCs at the bedside frees up the Interventional Suite, the consultant’s and their team’s time allowing them to focus on other interventions requiring their expertise.  Patients no longer need to be transported to Radiology for the procedure and are consequently exposed to less radiation. The service currently runs from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday.

For more information, please read our leaflet on having a PICC line inserted.