Quick Reference Cards: Vascular Access at a Glance
Quick reference cards for patients with vascular access devices — concise summaries of PICC care, port care, flush schedules, when to call versus go to the ER, signs of catheter infection, and emergency contacts. Designed to be printed and posted at home.
Quick Reference Cards: Vascular Access at a Glance
These cards provide quick, at-a-glance summaries for the most common situations you will encounter with a vascular access device at home. They are designed to be printed and posted — on your refrigerator, at your infusion station, or wherever your care happens.
For detailed information on any topic, see the full guide linked at the end of each card.
CARD 1: PICC Line Daily Care Checklist
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║ PICC LINE DAILY CARE — QUICK CHECKLIST ║
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║ ║
║ MY PICC DETAILS ║
║ Arm: _____________ External length: _______ cm ║
║ Number of lumens: _______ ║
║ Flush solution: Saline □ Saline + Heparin □ ║
║ Flush schedule: _____________________________________ ║
║ Dressing change due: _____________________ ║
║ ║
║ DAILY CHECK — LOOK FOR: ║
║ □ Dressing intact on all edges (no peeling, no bubbles) ║
║ □ Dressing clean and dry (not wet, not soiled) ║
║ □ External length unchanged: _______ cm ║
║ □ No new redness or swelling at insertion site ║
║ □ No drainage from site ║
║ □ No pain or burning with infusion ║
║ □ Arm not more swollen, warm, or achy than usual ║
║ ║
║ BEFORE FLUSHING: ║
║ □ Wash hands (20 seconds) ║
║ □ Scrub the hub: 15 seconds + 15 seconds dry ║
║ □ Use 10 mL syringe or larger — NEVER smaller ║
║ □ Do NOT force if you feel resistance — call nurse ║
║ ║
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Full guide: Going Home with a PICC Line
CARD 2: Implanted Port Care Summary
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║ IMPLANTED PORT — CARE AT A GLANCE ║
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║ ║
║ PORT NOT ACCESSED (no needle in): ║
║ • No dressing needed ║
║ • Flush once monthly (or per your team's instructions) ║
║ • Swimming, bathing, all activity: PERMITTED ║
║ • Keep your port ID card with you at all times ║
║ ║
║ PORT ACCESSED (needle in place during infusion): ║
║ • Keep access site clean and dry ║
║ • No submerging in water ║
║ • Avoid vigorous arm movement on port side ║
║ • Flush before and after every use (10 mL saline) ║
║ • Lock with heparin when not in active use ║
║ • Huber needle ONLY — never a regular needle ║
║ ║
║ WATCH FOR (call or go to ER): ║
║ • Fever ≥38°C / 100.4°F + shaking chills → ER ║
║ • Redness/swelling at access site not improving ║
║ • Port feels different / cannot be accessed ║
║ • Arm/neck swelling on port side ║
║ ║
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Full guide: Going Home with an Implanted Port
CARD 3: Call vs. Go to the ER — Decision Guide
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║ CALL YOUR NURSE OR GO TO THE ER? ║
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║ ║
║ GO TO THE ER (or call 911) for: ║
║ 🔴 Fever ≥38°C / 100.4°F WITH shaking chills ║
║ 🔴 Chest pain or shortness of breath ║
║ 🔴 Swelling of the arm (PICC arm) or neck ║
║ 🔴 Catheter completely falls out ║
║ 🔴 Throat swelling, hives spreading, difficulty breathing ║
║ 🔴 Uncontrolled bleeding from insertion site ║
║ 🔴 Sudden confusion or change in mental state ║
║ ║
║ CALL YOUR HOME INFUSION NURSE for: ║
║ 🟡 Dressing loose, wet, peeling, or soiled ║
║ 🟡 Site looks red or has mild tenderness ║
║ 🟡 Small amount of discharge from site ║
║ 🟡 Resistance when flushing (do not force) ║
║ 🟡 Pump alarming repeatedly ║
║ 🟡 PICC external length appears changed ║
║ 🟡 Running low on supplies or medications ║
║ 🟡 Any question about your care ║
║ ║
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Full guide: Recognizing Complications: When to Call for Help
CARD 4: Signs of Catheter Infection
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║ SIGNS OF CATHETER INFECTION — KNOW THESE ║
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║ ║
║ LOCAL (at the insertion site): ║
║ • Redness spreading from the site ║
║ • Warmth around the site ║
║ • Swelling at or near the site ║
║ • Discharge or pus from the site ║
║ • Pain or increasing tenderness directly at the site ║
║ → Call your nurse ║
║ ║
║ BLOODSTREAM (systemic — more serious): ║
║ • Fever ≥38°C / 100.4°F — especially sudden onset ║
║ • Shaking chills — feeling violently cold, then hot ║
║ • Sudden feeling of being much more unwell ║
║ • Rapid heart rate ║
║ • Confusion or unusual mental fogginess ║
║ → GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY ║
║ ║
║ IMPORTANT: Infection signs can be SUBTLE in ║
║ immunocompromised patients. Fever alone may be the ║
║ only sign. ALWAYS report it. ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Full guide: Recognizing Complications: When to Call for Help
CARD 5: Flush Schedule Reminder
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║ MY FLUSH SCHEDULE ║
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║ ║
║ MY CATHETER TYPE: _______________________________ ║
║ NUMBER OF LUMENS: _______ ║
║ ║
║ BEFORE EVERY USE: ║
║ _______ mL saline via _______ mL syringe ║
║ ║
║ AFTER EVERY USE: ║
║ _______ mL saline ║
║ _______ mL heparin _______ units/mL (if prescribed) ║
║ ║
║ WHEN NOT IN USE: ║
║ Flush every: ________________ (e.g., daily, weekly) ║
║ With: ____________________ ║
║ ║
║ ALWAYS USE: ║
║ • 10 mL syringe minimum — NEVER smaller ║
║ • Scrub hub 15 sec + 15 sec dry before each access ║
║ • Smooth, gentle push — STOP if you feel resistance ║
║ ║
║ PORT: Monthly heparin flush when not in active use ║
║ Next monthly flush due: _______________________ ║
║ ║
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CARD 6: Bathing and Activity Rules by Device
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║ BATHING AND ACTIVITY — QUICK GUIDE ║
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║ ║
║ SWIMMING / SUBMERGING IN WATER: ║
║ • Peripheral IV: ❌ Not permitted ║
║ • Midline catheter: ❌ Not permitted ║
║ • PICC line: ❌ Not permitted ║
║ • Tunneled catheter (Hickman): ❌ Not permitted ║
║ • Port (not accessed): ✅ Permitted ║
║ • Port (needle in): ❌ Not permitted ║
║ • Dialysis fistula/graft (healed): ✅ Usually permitted ║
║ ║
║ SHOWERING: ║
║ All external catheters: Use waterproof sleeve/cover ║
║ Keep water off the dressing ║
║ Port (not accessed): ✅ No restrictions ║
║ ║
║ LIFTING (PICC arm): ║
║ Avoid repeatedly lifting >10 lbs (4.5 kg) with PICC arm ║
║ ║
║ BLOOD PRESSURE CUFFS: ║
║ ❌ Never on PICC arm ║
║ ❌ Never on dialysis access arm ║
║ Tell EVERY provider: "No BP on my [left/right] arm" ║
║ ║
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CARD 7: My Emergency Contacts
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║ MY VASCULAR ACCESS EMERGENCY CONTACTS ║
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║ ║
║ MY CATHETER: _______________________________________ ║
║ PLACEMENT DATE: ________________ ║
║ EXTERNAL LENGTH (PICC): ________ cm ║
║ PORT ID CARD LOCATION: ___________________________ ║
║ ║
║ Home infusion nurse (daytime): ║
║ Name: _________________ Phone: ___________________ ║
║ ║
║ Home infusion after-hours emergency: ║
║ Phone: ___________________ ║
║ ║
║ Infusion pharmacy: ║
║ Name: _________________ Phone: ___________________ ║
║ ║
║ My specialist (oncologist / ID / other): ║
║ Name: _________________ Phone: ___________________ ║
║ After-hours: ___________________ ║
║ ║
║ My primary care provider: ║
║ Name: _________________ Phone: ___________________ ║
║ ║
║ Nearest Emergency Room: ║
║ Name/Address: ___________________________________ ║
║ ║
║ Next dressing change: ________ Location: _____________ ║
║ Next lab draw: ____________ Location: _____________ ║
║ Next follow-up appointment: __________ ║
║ ║
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CARD 8: Infection Prevention — Your Daily Reminders
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║ INFECTION PREVENTION — DAILY REMINDERS ║
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║ ║
║ YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS: ║
║ ║
║ 1. WASH HANDS before touching anything near your catheter ║
║ 20 seconds with soap and water, or alcohol hand gel ║
║ ║
║ 2. SCRUB THE HUB every time before accessing your catheter ║
║ 15 seconds vigorous + 15 seconds air dry ║
║ ║
║ 3. KEEP THE DRESSING DRY and intact ║
║ Use waterproof sleeve when showering ║
║ ║
║ 4. DON'T TOUCH the catheter, dressing, or connections ║
║ unnecessarily ║
║ ║
║ 5. TELL YOUR NURSE immediately if: ║
║ • Dressing is loose, wet, or soiled ║
║ • Site looks red or has discharge ║
║ • You have fever ≥38°C / 100.4°F ║
║ • You feel suddenly more unwell ║
║ ║
║ ASK EVERY PROVIDER: "Have you cleaned your hands?" ║
║ This is always appropriate to ask. ║
║ ║
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Full guide: Keeping Your IV Safe: Infection Prevention
How to Use These Cards
Print and post them where you perform your catheter care — your infusion station, the bathroom mirror, the kitchen.
Fill in the blank fields with your specific details (flush schedule, external PICC length, contact numbers) so the cards are customized to your situation.
Update them when anything changes — new dressing change schedule, new care team contact, new medication.
Carry a copy of Card 7 (Emergency Contacts) in your wallet or phone case.
Full Patient Education Guide Index
All detailed guides in this series are available at /patient-education/:
- Understanding Vascular Access
- Types of IV Lines and Catheters
- Keeping Your IV Safe: Infection Prevention
- Recognizing Complications: When to Call for Help
- Your Rights: Informed Consent and Decision-Making
- IV Medications and Infusion Therapy Explained
- Allergies and Sensitivities During IV Therapy
- Going Home with a PICC Line
- Going Home with a Midline Catheter
- Going Home with a Tunneled Catheter
- Going Home with an Implanted Port
- Discharge Planning: Leaving the Hospital with an IV Device
- Questions to Ask Your Vascular Access Team
- Blood Draws and Lab Tests: What to Expect
- Dialysis Vascular Access: AV Fistulas, Grafts, and Catheters
- Home TPN: Your Complete Guide
- OPAT: Outpatient IV Antibiotics at Home
- Chemotherapy Infusion: What to Expect
- Preparing for PICC Placement
- Preparing for Port Placement
- PICC Removal: What to Expect
- Port Removal: What to Expect
- Your Interventional Radiology Visit
- Travel with a Vascular Access Device
- Exercise and Physical Activity with a Catheter
- Your First Visit to an Outpatient Infusion Center
- Emergency Room Visit When You Have a Catheter
- Vascular Access in the NICU: A Parent’s Guide
- Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Children with IVs
- Guide for Caregivers of Adult Patients on IV Therapy
- Vascular Access Safety for Immunocompromised Patients
- Arterial Lines: A Guide for Patients and Families
- Therapeutic Apheresis: What to Expect
- Fall Prevention During IV Therapy
- Medication Safety: Your Role in Preventing Errors
- Skin Care Around Your Catheter Site
- Living Well with Long-Term IV Therapy
- Mental Health and Emotional Adjustment During IV Therapy
- Subcutaneous Infusion (Hypodermoclysis)
- Vascular Access and Goals of Care
- Insurance and Prior Authorization for Home Infusion Therapy
These quick reference cards are for educational purposes. Fill in the blank fields with your specific care instructions, which may differ from general guidance. Always follow the instructions of your care team.