Which of the following is an advantage of using PICC lines?

Which of the following is an advantage of using PICC lines?

• A. Increased risk of air emboli
• B. Cost effective for home use
• C. Higher insertion complication rates
• D. Requires daily dressing changes

Answer: (B)

PICC lines, or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, offer several advantages, one of which is their cost-effectiveness for home use. This characteristic makes them particularly appealing for patients who need long-term intravenous access for treatments such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or nutritional support in an outpatient setting. The key reasons behind their cost-effectiveness include reducing hospital stays, as patients can receive infusions in the comfort of their homes rather than in a hospital environment. Additionally, PICCs can save healthcare resources by minimizing the need for frequent hospital visits for intravenous therapies. By facilitating home care, they enhance patient quality of life while concurrently managing healthcare costs, making them a preferred option in many cases. In contrast, air emboli, higher insertion complication rates, and the requirement for daily dressing changes indicate potential downsides and challenges associated with PICC line use, but do not serve as advantages.

PICC lines, or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, offer several advantages, one of which is their cost-effectiveness for home use. This characteristic makes them particularly appealing for patients who need long-term intravenous access for treatments such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or nutritional support in an outpatient setting.

The key reasons behind their cost-effectiveness include reducing hospital stays, as patients can receive infusions in the comfort of their homes rather than in a hospital environment. Additionally, PICCs can save healthcare resources by minimizing the need for frequent hospital visits for intravenous therapies. By facilitating home care, they enhance patient quality of life while concurrently managing healthcare costs, making them a preferred option in many cases.

In contrast, air emboli, higher insertion complication rates, and the requirement for daily dressing changes indicate potential downsides and challenges associated with PICC line use, but do not serve as advantages.