Objective To explore the application effects of quality control circle (QCC) activity in reducing the peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) maintenance missing rate of discharged tumor patients. Methods Firstly, QCC method was applied to set up the activity topic and carry out investigation of the status quo. Secondly, the targets were set up by analyzing the reasons for the missing of PICC maintenance of the discharged tumor patients. The appropriate measures were established and implemented by strengthening the maintenance point nurse PICC training, expanding the province's PICC maintenance network, enhancing patients' awareness for the importance of PICC maintenance, and the effects were evaluated in the end. Results The missing rate of the discharged tumor patients decreased from 40.00% to 10.92%. The target yield rate was 112.19% and the progressive rate was 78.70%. The number of the PICC maintenance network stations in the whole province increased from 21 to 96, and was constantly increasing. The pass rate of the maintenance increased from 76.02% to 96.00%. Patients and their families recognized these advances. Conclusions The QCC activity not only reduces the missing rate of PICC maintenance of the discharged tumor patients, enhances the percentage of the pass rate the maintenance, but also improves the QCC members' problem solving ability, sense of responsibility, cohesion and other comprehensive qualities.