Today, I sat down to infuse and noticed that somehow my dressing had peeled off all the way back to the-whatever it is called-hole in my arm, so I tried to tape it back down but it is kind of hard by yourself and it is like taping a piece of unsticky plastic.
Then I called home health and they said if it was taped down it was fine.
I am just confused because of all the trouble they go to when they are putting it on to sterilize it, and now it is just open in places.
Is it okay to have it unsterile?
gambler
Posted by breezywings (Member # 9222) on :
Hi, it is definitely not okay to have it unsterile. Call your infusion company back right away and demand that they come and re-dress it.
Please make sure that the opening where the line was inserted is at least covered until they get there. Wipe it down with alcohol if it is exposed.
Please don't let this scare the bejesus out of you but it is REALLY important that this area stay extremely sterile.
If the infusion company doesn't come out then they need you to fire them. Talk to your doc about it but in the meantime, when all else fails, go to your local ER and have them redress it.
This happened to me one time and I had to go back to the Special Procedures unit of radiology where I got my inserted under floroscopy. The interventional nurse changed it at 11 at night. They told me to talk to my doc and get a new infusion company. Needless to say, I fired them and had a new company within 24 hours.
Good luck and let us know.
Kelly
Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
In a word........
NO
Unless you wish to live up to your gambler monogram!
Get the phleb or nurse to come to your aid...that is what they get paid for you know...
sheesh!
zman
Posted by LML2260 (Member # 9615) on :
I don't think that sounds right. If it was me, I would insist on having a nurse come and change the bandage - you have the right to do so. The area is supposed to remain sterile.
How long was the bandage on? I wonder why it came off in the first place. I have never had one even come close to coming off. Wonder if it was put on securely, or did you get it wet or if it isn't the correct kind of bandage.
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
Thanks for your replies, I talked to the nurse and she said to ask someone to change the dressing and she will come tomorrow. But I don't have a someone.
I'll figure something out. I soooo don't want to go to the ER.
I did not get that dressing wet, you don't even want to know how little I have been showering. It was a new dressing because of the rash I had, and I did notice it peeling back a bit this morning. It must have caught on my sweatshirt and pulled off.
So, I am sitting here with my dressing kit trying to think of someone who can help.
gambler
Posted by 8man12 (Member # 7664) on :
take a loose sock,cut the bottom off and pull it up over your dressing,it will keep it from comeing off.
Posted by jblral (Member # 8836) on :
one time we went to an urgent care clinic to have it re-dressed. (To my surprise, our insurance covered it.)