Objective To observe the application effect of failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA)on peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)patients. Methods A total of 320 PICC patients from January 2013 to January 2015 were divided into the control group(n = 160)and the study group(n = 160)by random number table method. The patients of control group were given routine nursing and nursing risks management, while the patients of study group were given FMEA method. Risk priority number(RPN),complications and satisfaction were compared during the period of catheter between the two groups. Results During catheterization,the infection( part or whole body),ineffective tube sealing,loose tube fixed,part staxis/haemorrhage,and RPN scores under insufficiency assessment and measurement in the study group were all higher than these of the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P < 0. 05). The rate of incidence in the study group(7. 5% )was significantly lower than that of the control group(22. 5% )(P <0. 05). The satisfaction in the study group(95. 56% )was significantly higher than that of the control group (76. 88% ),the difference was statistically significant(P < 0. 05). Conclusions FMEA method can effectively decrease the complications of PICC patients and increase nursing quality and patients' satisfaction,which can be widely promoted in clinical.