Mobile PICC Line Placement for Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities

What Is a PICC Line

A PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a long, flexible catheter placed in a vein in the upper arm and advanced until the tip rests in a large vein near the heart. This type of vascular access allows medications, fluids, and therapies to be delivered safely and effectively over an extended period of time.

PICC lines are commonly used when patients require reliable access for ongoing or complex treatment.

When PICC Placement Is Appropriate

PICC lines are typically recommended for patients who need:

• Intravenous (IV) antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
• Long-term medication therapy
• Frequent blood draws

This form of access is especially important when treatment duration extends beyond what a standard peripheral IV can safely support.

Advantages Compared to a Regular IV

For patients requiring extended or complex treatment, a PICC line offers several advantages over a standard peripheral IV:

• Can stay in place for weeks to months
• Fewer needle sticks over the course of treatment
• More comfortable for patients undergoing long-term therapies
• Allows infusion of medications that require a larger, high-flow vein

Bedside Placement Using Ultrasound Guidance

EPICC performs PICC line placement at the patient's bedside using ultrasound guidance.

Ultrasound allows the clinician to visualize veins in real time, identify the most appropriate vessel, and improve placement accuracy. This approach helps reduce complications and increases first-attempt success rates.

Procedures are typically completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and most patients experience only mild discomfort during insertion.

Mobile Service Delivered to Your Facility

PICC placement is performed directly within your facility, eliminating the need for patient transport.

This allows healthcare teams to maintain continuity of care while avoiding delays associated with scheduling, transport, or limited internal resources.

Clinical Focus and Procedural Consistency

EPICC specializes in vascular access procedures, with a focus on PICC placement. By concentrating on this area of care, EPICC provides consistent procedural quality, evidence-based clinical practices, and reliable vascular access solutions for complex patient needs. Each procedure is performed with attention to both patient safety and long-term vascular health.

What to Expect

The process for PICC placement is designed to be efficient and straightforward for healthcare teams.

• A request is made for vascular access support
• Scheduling is coordinated based on patient needs
• A vascular access specialist arrives on-site
• The PICC line is placed at the bedside using ultrasound guidance

Frequently Asked Questions About PICC Line Placement

What is a PICC line and when is it needed?

A PICC line is a long, thin catheter inserted into a vein in the upper arm and threaded to a large vein near the heart. It is used when a patient needs IV antibiotics, chemotherapy, TPN, or other medications over a period of days, weeks, or months — longer than a standard peripheral IV can safely support. PICC lines reduce repeated needle sticks and allow medications that require central venous access to be administered safely.

How long does a PICC line placement procedure take?

A bedside PICC line placement performed by a certified vascular access specialist typically takes 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish. The procedure is done using ultrasound guidance to identify the appropriate vein in the upper arm, and most patients experience only mild discomfort during insertion. Placement is performed at the patient's bedside, so no transport to a procedure suite is needed.

Can a PICC line be placed at a skilled nursing facility?

Yes. EPICC Vascular performs PICC line placement directly at skilled nursing facilities throughout Eastern Washington. Bedside placement using ultrasound guidance is safe and well-established in long-term care settings, and it eliminates the need to transport patients to a hospital for the procedure. This approach supports faster initiation of IV therapy and reduces risk and disruption for medically complex residents.

How is a PICC line different from a regular IV?

A standard peripheral IV is a short catheter placed in a small vein, typically in the hand or forearm, suitable for short-term use and medications compatible with peripheral veins. A PICC line is a central catheter that reaches a large vein near the heart, allowing it to remain in place for weeks to months and deliver medications that would damage smaller veins. PICC lines also reduce the need for repeated IV insertions in patients requiring ongoing treatment.

Mobile PICC Placement Service Areas

EPICC Vascular provides mobile PICC line placement to healthcare facilities across Eastern Washington. Select your region to learn more:

• Mobile PICC Placement in Yakima, WA
• Mobile PICC Placement in Union Gap, WA
• Mobile PICC Placement in Ellensburg, WA
• Mobile PICC Placement in Prosser, WA
• Mobile PICC Placement in Toppenish, WA
• Mobile PICC Placement in the Tri-Cities, WA