[Peripherally inserted central catheter: description of its use in neonatal and pediatric ICU]

The purpose of this descriptive, retrospective, documental study is to describe the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in a neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit regarding their insertion, maintenance, and removal. This study also characterized the population which received the catheter through descriptive and statistical analysis of 176 instruments filled out by nurses, in a two year period. The population attended consisted of 125 patients, mainly premature (43.2%) and male (60%). The basilic and cephalic (43.2%) veins were primarily used for the insertion of a 1.9Fr (85.8%) catheter. The success rate was 98.9% in the punctures, but anticipated removal occurred due to obstruction (25%), infiltration (18%), suspected contamination (16.6%), traction (13.9%), rupture (11.2%), accidental removal (8.3%), phlebitis (4.2%), cyanosis (1.4%), and migration (1.4%), with an average period of permanence of 14.5 days. In order to maintain the catheter professional education and preparation are required to qualify care.