Hi I am a vet Tech and I actually put in central catheters in dogs and cats in a sterile manner.
I only have 5 doses of Rocephin left and I was hoping to keep my PICC line for a while to "see what happens". It costs me $11 every time a nurse comes to changethe dressing every 3 days.
I have one particular nurse who doesnt do the best job as far as sterile technique is concerned. I hate when I get her. I know I can do better.
So you think this is possible?
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
You can do this yourself, and save on the home visit costs, too.
I know of several people who have done this.
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
I did it myself for months. Many agencies do not like the patients cleaning the dressings themselves because then they are out more $$$$.
I believe your doc has to inform you nursing agency to teach you how to change a dressing by yourself. I know you can do this in NY, but I am not sure about other state laws.
Good luck.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Maybe if you had a friend or someone to help. There is no way in the world I could have changed a dressing by myself. It's a two handed job. The nurse also drew labs on me each week when she came (mine came out weekly).
Timaca
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I changed all my dressings myself!!! Make a sterile field each time- HAVE THE NURSE GO OVER IT WITH YOU!!!!
You can die from an infection so take it SERIOUSLY! But I changed it every time after first week with absolutely no problem!!! Well, actually hard and tedious because I was so sick, but if you can move your hands well it should be easy for you. My hands were kind of messed up!!! I had to use them like weights because they did not open and close well, but even so, I STILL did it myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CAN DO IT!)*)!*)! Seriously*)!*)! Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I am glad to hear that some folks have done it.
I am used to sterile technique so I think it will be ok.... I will let you know
Posted by salydega (Member # 7309) on :
I, myself always had a nurse do the dressing changes. I agree with you about some of them not doing such a good job though.
However,, I cant imagine doing it alone. Where my picc line was positioned (my upper arm, on the inside) There is no way I could do it alone.
I wished I could because I cant stand when the tape gets all dirty looking after a couple days. I would have liked it changed every 3-4 days.
I agree with Timaca and you should have labs drawn every week.
My DR left my picc line in 1 week after I discontinued iv rocephin. But I did do saline flush once a day. Just in case I needed the line again.
Check with you Dr. and see what they think about changing your own dressings/weekly labs, etc.
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