FOLEY CATHETER CARE
PICC Line
Instructed patient what should you know about caring for your midline catheter: Loop extra tubing: If you have long tubing attached to your catheter, loosely loop the tubing together, and secure it with tape. This will help prevent the PICC or midline catheter from being pulled out of your arm by accident.
Instructed patient if you has a problem trouble flushing the PICC, unable to give medicines or fluid into catheter Unclamp it (if clamp is present). Remove the kink, if the catheter is not kinked or clamped, do not force the solution into the tube. Call the home care nurse to report the problem
Skilled nurse performed PICC line dressing change , prepare to change your dressing in a sterile (very clean) way , Remove the dressing and check patient's skin, clean the area and catheter, place a new dressing, Tape the catheter to secure it and write down the date you changed your dressing.
Instructed patient about when should you seek immediate help? Call nurse or go to the emergency room if: The area around where the catheter enters your skin looks red, feels warm or painful, or it is oozing fluid. You see a red line going up your arm from the place where the catheter enters your skin. Your arm will also be painful.
Instructed patient avoid damage. Don’t use any sharp or pointy objects around the catheter. This includes scissors, pins, knives, razors, or anything else that could puncture or cut it. Also, don’t let anything pull or rub on the catheter, such as clothing
Instructed patient watch for signs of problems. Pay attention to how much of the catheter sticks out from your skin. If this changes at all, let your health care provider know. Also watch for cracks, leaks, or other damage. And if the dressing becomes dirty, loose, or wet, change it or call your health care team right away.
Instructed patient check your skin where the
catheter enters it every day. Look for signs of infection and other problems. Instructed patient call your health care provider if you: Have bleeding, redness or swelling at the PICC line or Midline site, have pain near the site or in your arm, have signs
of infection (fever, chills), are short of breath.
Instructed patient When to seek medical care: Call your provider right away if you have any of the following: Pain or burning in your shoulder, chest, back, arm, or leg, Fever of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, chills, signs of infection at the catheter site (pain, redness, drainage, burning, or stinging), Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
Instructed patient assess PICC line site, line note any leakage from catheter or around the site. Note any redness, drainage or pain at the site.
Instructed patient / caregiver if the catheter breaks, whether bleeding does or does not occur, do not panic. Using sterile gauze, apply sufficient pressure at the site so it is tightly and well covered and immediately report this to the physician. Maintain pressure on the site at all times.