This information is to assist clinicians in referring patients who require Peripherally Inserted Catheter (PICC line) management in the community. The need for this service may be identified in patients who are exiting public hospitals and who require long term intravenous therapy, for example intravenous antibiotics or chemotherapy.

SA Community Care are also able to support infusaport management.

A PICC line management fact sheet (PDF 271KB) is also available.

You will need

  • Metropolitan Referral Unit Referral Form
  • Medication Authority if requiring medication administration
  • PICC insertion details, type and measurements and dressing requirement

Referral form

Complete the Referral Form available from the referral forms page, including the following information:

  • date of PICC insertion
  • location of PICC
  • arm circumference and the external catheter measurement from insertion site to longest connector at last dressing.
  • date of last PICC dressing, include non-standard dressing requirements
  • date PICC to be removed, if known
  • Outpatient Department review appointments, if known
  • if available, send copy of PICC patient information from radiology insertion.

Medication Authorty

Complete the Medication Authority available from the referral forms page, including the following information:

  • medications required and include frequency, dose, time and completion date
  • sign and date authority, include Medical Officer contact details.

Submitting your referral

Please send above information to the Metropolitan Referral Unit and await service confirmation. Service confirmations are sent between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, 7 days a week including public holidays.

Contact the Metropolitan Referral Unit team on 1300 110 600 if you wish to discuss an individual’s needs and eligibility for this service.

Additional resources

Supportive study

The Supportive care needs of adults living with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at home: a qualitative content analysis study has identified supportive care needs of adults with cancer or infection living with a PICC at home.

The study concludes that adults living with a PICC at home report a broad range of supportive care needs. In addition to practical and information needs, health consumers may also require support to accept living with a device inside their body and to assume responsibility for the PICC.

These findings may provide nurses with a greater understanding of individual needs and guide the provision of appropriate supports.