Assessing Nurses’ Knowledge of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) in Inpatient Settings: Indications, Maintenance, Complications, and Removal

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used in hospital settings. To ensure optimal patient care, it is essential to assess nurses’ knowledge before implementing targeted training interventions. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of nurses working in inpatient settings regarding the indications, maintenance, complications, and removal of PICCs. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, analytical, and prospective study was conducted. A Knowledge Questionnaire (KQ) and an Attitudinal Survey (AS) were administered to nurses caring for adult hospitalized patients. A total of 118 nurses participated, with a median age of 33 years. Most worked in the intensive care unit or inpatient units. While all nurses received training upon hiring, then annually, only 46% reported receiving PICC-related training. The median KQ score was 9 out of 12 (75%). Knowledge was highest in the domains of complications and maintenance (>85% accuracy), followed by indications (70%) and removal (46%). While nurses demonstrated satisfactory overall knowledge, significant gaps were identified in PICC indications and removal. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance competency in these areas. Improving knowledge can reduce unnecessary catheter use, promote timely removal, and prevent potential complications.