posted
Hi, I had piccline put in for IV antibiotics 2 and half weeks ago and wondering if I need to change the luer lock/clave at the end of line and how frequently.
My nurse said it needs to be changed weekly, but she could not remove the original that was placed by the radiology unit because it was fitted too tight. Dressing was changed today
My doctor is away on vacation until middle of next week, and the doctor on call is not LLMD. So hoping someone here with experience can lead me in the right direction.
The radiology dept said I could come in and they would change it for me (coming Tuesday, too late today), but they were questioning why I would have it changed.
Suffice to say I'm a bit confused on the proper procedure.
No problems with the line otherwise, no bleeding, oozing, clogging, etc.
Thanks.
Happy and (most importantly) healthy New Year to all!
-------------------- "Life is wasted on the living." Posts: 795 | From nyc | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
It was protocol where I worked for the cap and dressing to be changed weekly. Usually, there was enough line left protruding from the insertion site to allow for repairs...hopefully this will be the case when you see the radiology dept on Tuesday. I'm sure things will work out fine for you as it has already been 2 and !/2 weeks without problem. Happy, Safe, and Healthy New Year.
Posts: 4 | From California | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
I only had mine replaced when necessary--when it came loose or had too much tape scum. I didn't change it weekly with the dressing change and I never got an infection in the 8 months I had it.
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 9439 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
Hi Zip, Happy Holidays. Usually cap is changed every week with dressing. Sometimes my nurse has had trouble twisting the cap off, but she will get another nurse to try and it will come off. I remember she would twist it off once heparin was administered and it would unscrew.
Maybe you just need another person to try to unscrew it. You could go to ER as there is usually a person on board who does piccs. Once I ripped up the tegaderm and the lock was exposed. Called hospital about it and they suggested I go to ER. Picc line nurse fixed it for me in a jiffy.
Di
Posts: 1568 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Thanks all. Happy holidays Di! Drop me a line sometime if you like.
-------------------- "Life is wasted on the living." Posts: 795 | From nyc | Registered: Sep 2004
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
Happy Holidays Zippy.
What happend to the IVIg? You were so confident about it and we all had high hope for you.
My Lock was changed weekly during the dressing change. I also had to use Op-site dressing as I had an alergic reaction to the Tega and my skin looked like bubbling pizza cheese. Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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