Are there any guidelines/references for the minimal distance a PICC should be placed from the axilla. One reference I saw stated you should not go above 3 to 4 fingerbreaths. My concern is keeping dressing intact and the warm, moist area of the axilla.
Thanks
I have never seen any written recommendations but you definitely do need to stay out of the axilla. This is wet skin and the number and types of microorganisms is much greater on wet skin than the dry skin of the extremity. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861