LymeNet Flash: Has anyone heard of changing a PICC line dressing themselves?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Has anyone heard of changing a PICC line dressing themselves?

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Topic: Has anyone heard of changing a PICC line dressing themselves?

merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041

posted

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?

Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347

posted

You can do this yourself, and save on the home visit costs, too.

I know of several people who have done this.

--------------------
�Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne

Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847

posted

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.

Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |

timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911

posted

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

Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005 | IP: Logged |

CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136

posted

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

--------------------
There is no wealth but life.
-John Ruskin

All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer

Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged |

merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041

posted

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

Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

salydega
Member
Member # 7309

posted

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.

Sandra [Smile]

Posts: 73 | From phoenix, az | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

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