Affordable PICC Line Treatment for Patients from Around the World

PICC line in India

The PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a thin, flexible, tube that is placed into one of the veins of the arm and pushed through to a large vein that is located close to the heart. It is a form of central venous access that is applied in case of long-term intravenous (IV) therapy.

What is a PICC Line?

• PICC is the abbreviation used in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.
• It occurs in a peripheral vein, usually in an upper arm, but followed by a central one (superior vena cava).
• Prolonged IV access (weeks to months) in patients.

Uses of PICC Line

Long-term administration of:

• IV antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
• Other drugs which may cause irritation to smaller veins.
• Frequent blood draws

Insertion Procedure

• They are numbed using local anaesthesia.
• The access point is a vein in the upper arm (basilic, brachial or cephalic vein).
• The catheter is led towards the heart using ultrasound.
• Confirmation of position is made by X-ray/ECG.

Benefits

• Proper long-term IV use.
• Is able to remain several weeks (or months) (or even a year).
• Eliminates the necessity of several needle sticks.
• Less risk of infection than other central lines.

Factors Affecting PICC line procedure cost in India

There are a number of variables that influence the amount of PICC line procedure to cost. They include:

Hospital type and location

• Private/government, metro city/smaller town. The big hospitals tend to be more expensive due to the overheads.

Catheter brand and features

• Certain catheters possess extra components - e.g. antimicrobial coats, power-PICC (power injections), multi-lumen (2 or more lumens), or special materials. These cost more. 

Procedure complexity

• In cases where the veins are difficult to reach, the patient has comorbidities, or imaging (ultrasound, fluoroscopy) is required the cost increases. 

Professional fees

• Surgeon / radiologist / interventionalist fee; nursing personnel; anaesthetist when sedation or GA was required. 

Consumables & supplies

• Guidewires, catheter itself, sterile kits, dressings (sterile), antiseptics, flush solutions, etc. Larger/advanced kits are more expensive. 

Imaging and confirmation

• X-ray or C-arm confirmation of tip location with the help of ultrasound. These add to cost. 

Room charges / hospital stay

• When patient has to stay overnight or in special rooms (private, ICU etc) it is more expensive. 

Geographic region

• Rates in metro cities tend to be more expensive, rural/smaller city hospitals could be cheaper. Also varying cost of living etc. 

Maintenance/ follow-up

• Flushing, change dressing, complications, removal afterwards. These add ongoing cost. 

Complications

• Extra treatment and extra procedures are costly if infection, thrombosis occurs or the patient requires repositioning or removal.

Best hospitals for PICC line in India

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket

PICC line placement for chemotherapy India

One of the most widespread methods by which doctors provide safe and effective long-term treatment to cancer patients is through a PICC line of chemotherapy. A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) prevents multiple needle sticks and also safeguards peripheral veins because chemotherapy drugs are harsh and they damage smaller veins.

The reason why a PICC Line should be used during chemotherapy?

• Rigorous chemotherapy drugs are delivered safely into a large central vein (superior vena cava), where the drug is rapidly diluted.
• Long-term use: PICC lines may stay in the body as long as weeks to months, perfect in chemotherapy cycles.
• Less pain and stress: No longer requires repeated IV insertions.
• Various applications: It may also be applied in blood draws, IV fluids and antibiotics in case of necessity.

Insertion of PICC Line

• Carried out as local anaesthesia in a hospital or day-care.
• Placed into a great vein in the upper arm (basilic or brachial vein).
• The catheter ended up into the superior vena cava in the proximity of the heart.
• Checked with X-ray or ECG and then used.

Benefits in Chemotherapy

• Gives constant, stable IV access.
• Reduced vein irritation (phlebitis) risk, relative to the conventional IV lines.
• Is able to stay put during several courses of chemotherapy.
• Permits the use of vesicant drugs (harsh drugs that might result in tissue damage in case of leakage).
• Can do blood transfusion and nutrition support on a case-to-case basis.

Factors Affecting PICC line removal cost in India

PICC removal refers to the process of removing the catheter when it is not required to be there, in a safe and sterile manner. Removal, of course, is normally easier than insertion, but the cost remains variable by a number of factors (particularly in India where the type of hospital, region, condition of the patient etc are vastly different). The following are the key variables that influence the price of the removal of a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) in India:

Type and infrastructure of hospital

• Multi-specialty or premium hospitals are private and they are more likely to be costly. 

Location / city

• The metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai) are more expensive than smaller towns due to bigger overheads (rent, salaries etc).

Patient status / complexity

• In case the PICC is simple to remove (no problems, catheter present, exit site under control) vs case of complications (infection, thrombosis, catheter breakage, embedded catheter etc).
• Comorbidities (diabetes, bleeding disorders) might take additional precautions or care, which increases the cost.

Time PICC has been in situ

• The older is the better, the higher the probability of complications (e.g. fibrin sheath, adhesions, infections) which will complicate the removal process.
• Even in case of laxity in maintenance/dressing care, there is more likely to be need to clean, treat infection etc, before removal.

Need for imaging/guidance

• The removal may sometimes be done at bedside by trained personnel; or may require radiology (ultrasound, X-ray) to confirm the position of catheter tips, or to confirm that no remnant is left. In case of entrapment of catheter etc, it could require fluoroscopy/assistance of a device. Imaging adds cost.

Sterilization and consumables

• Application of sterile gloves, dressings, antiseptics, sutures, catheter removal set etc.
• Special catheter removal kits used or not.

Professional fees

• The attending medical personnel (nurse, doctor) - experience and fees.
• When there is removal in OT (operation theatre) vs on ward/day-care, there is a rise in the personnel charges.

Room/ward type

• In the event that removal is a part of inpatient stay, and the patient is already admitted, the cost can be bundled. When they are occupied on special room / ICU / private room etc around the time the removal is applied, the expenses increase.

Pre- & post-procedure care

• Tests that must be done prior to removal (e.g. blood clotting profile, imaging)
• Monitoring on the post-removal especially when risk of bleeding or infection. Newton, antibiotics in the case of infection, additional attention.

Hospital overheads, regulatory, and administrative

• Paperwork, hospital laws on billing, administrative charges.
• Other fees such as sterilization, cleaning of rooms etc.

Factors Affecting Affordable PICC line treatment in India

Here are some of the key factors that affect how affordable PICC-line treatment is in India:

• Type & quality of the catheter device
• Insertion procedure setting & guidance
• Hospital type & location
• Patient condition & complexity
• Maintenance & follow-up
• Consumables & supplies
• Number of catheter days
• Complications
• Professional & personnel fees
• Room / stay type

PICC line treatment in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for PICC Line treatment.
• Expert doctor with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food