Benefits of peripherally inserted central catheter placement by nurses in adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units

Abstract

The Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) is a vascular access technology used in patients who require medium- or long-term intravenous therapy. This article aims to analyze the benefits of PICC placement by nurses in adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units, considering technical, legal, care-related, and patient-safety aspects. This narrative literature review was based on scientific articles, infusion therapy standards, and regulatory documents, including recent references published between 2021 and 2025. The findings show that, when properly indicated and placed by a qualified nurse, PICC preserves the venous network, reduces repeated punctures, pain, and therapy interruptions, improves comfort, and enables safer administration of prolonged, irritant, vesicant, or hyperosmolar therapies. It also supports care planning, standardization of practices, and monitoring of quality indicators. The benefits apply to different age groups in intensive care, provided that indication is individualized, tip position is confirmed, aseptic technique is rigorous, and de-vice necessity is reassessed daily.