Introduction: The incorporation of a new technology for healthcare in nursing practices, such as the peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC), requires the acquisition of new knowledge in order to be translated to benefits. These benefits may be for the sake of the patient and the nursing team itself (1-2).  In view of  implementing PICC in the nursing practices of a medical service in Portugal, research was conducted with the objective of understanding the benefits of implementing PICC in the nursing practice. Method: A qualitative approach using the focal group technique. Five nurses who cared for PICC patients in a medical service in Portugal participated. The interviews of the focus groups were recorded, and transcription and thematic analysis followed. Results: Benefits for the patients: reduction in the number of venous punctures to collect blood for analysis and for the insertion of the peripheral venous catheter (PVC), avoiding pain by replacing the routinely used venous puncture by PICC, less anxiety related to venous puncture and reduction of local complications such as phlebitis and infiltration. Benefits for the nursing team: a decrease in the number of venous puncture attempts to insert the PVC, eliminating patients without venous access on which to administer intravenous treatments thereby reducing stress, reducing time of nursing care in looking for a peripheral venous access and medication administration was performed safely and quickly. Discussion & Conclusion: The selection of the venous catheter in line with scientific evidence and patient characteristics(3) and the acquisition of specific skills through continuing education are factors that favor the implementation of the PICC in nursing practices(4), translating into qualitative benefits for the patients and the nursing team alike. 

Benefits of the implementation of the peripherally inserted central venous catheter in the nursing practices of a medical service in Portugal