You need treatment with medicines (antibiotics) for your bronchiectasis disease. You will receive these medicines through an IV. Treatment is usually given through an IV in the hospital. This is not necessary for you. There is no other medical reason for hospitalization. That is why you will receive the treatment at home with extra help. Your pulmonologist remains your treating physician.
You recover faster and better at home than in the hospital. At home you experience more peace and you are more active. That contributes to your recovery. In addition, the risk of complications and infections in the hospital is greater.
Before you can receive care at home, the following things must be arranged:
you will receive an intravenous drip; the home care is requested for you; the medicines are ordered for you.
You can read more about this below.
Placing the IV
To be able to get the medicines at home later, a special drip is needed. This drip is called a PICC line. The PICC line is placed in the Radiology department. You will receive an appointment for this. The Radiology Department will tell you how to place a PICC line. They will also tell you how to care for the PICC line and what to look out for at home.
The PICC line is a thin, flexible tube. It is placed in a blood vessel in your upper arm. The end of the tube will be close to your heart. This allows the antibiotics to enter a large blood vessel through the IV.
A PICC line keeps your blood vessels from getting damaged. This is important because you will receive antibiotics through an IV for a long time.
The PICC line can also be used to take blood for research. You do not need to be pricked with a needle.
Applying for care and medicines
A specialist home care team will treat you at home. Isala’s Medical Coordination Bureau (MCB) arranges everything necessary for the treatment. The care at home, but also the medication and the infusion pump.
Your medication and infusion pump are supplied by a pharmacy. This is not your own pharmacy, but an organization that supplies special items for infusion therapy at home. Your medication and infusion pump will be brought to you at home.
Your medication is in IV bags. The shelf life of this medication is short. As a result, the infusion bags may not be delivered in one go. If more supplies are needed, they will also be delivered to your home by a pharmacy.
How do you store the infusion bags?
Store the infusion bags in the refrigerator. Place the IV bags in the center of the refrigerator and not against the back, on the bottom or in the door. Also, do not put the infusion bags in the freezer.
Remove the infusion bag you are going to use from the refrigerator about 1-2 hours before administration. Fluid that is too cold can be painful during administration.
When does your treatment start?
When all preparations are done, the treatment can start. You will then hear via the Isala Medical Coordination Office when a home care nurse comes to your home to connect the IV.
How long does it take to run in the medicines?
How long it takes to run in the antibiotics varies. This can be short or continuous over 24 hours. This depends on what medicines you are taking. The infusion pump comes in a small bag that you carry with you. This allows you to move normally during the warm-up (see also the information about the rules of life).
How often does home care come?
The home care nurse will visit you once or twice a day. The nurse changes the infusion bag and checks that everything is going well. Whether the nurse comes once or twice depends on how often a new infusion bag has to be connected. The nurse will make arrangements with you about this.
The home care nurse also takes care of your PICC line. For example, if the insertion point under the foil has become moist during a shower or for any other reason. Then the nurse will take care of it again.
How long will the treatment take?
This treatment lasts an average of 14 days. This depends on your medical situation.
You may shower with the PICC line. You are not allowed to take a bath, swim or go to the sauna because of the risk of infection. You are not allowed to lift heavy (no more than 10 kilos). With the PICC line you are allowed to move. You can just go outside.
Fortunately, complications are rare. But these can occur both at home and in the hospital. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.
When do you contact us?
Fever (temperature of 38.5 degrees or higher) and/or chills. Signs of thrombosis (blood clot): pain in the arm or shoulder, swelling and/or redness Signs of inflammation at the insertion opening of the PICC line, such as fluid and/or pus,
redness, swelling or pain. Complications such as skin rash, severe diarrhea, facial swelling, signs of
shortness of breath, chest pain when coughing or loss of consciousness.
Call the pulmonary medicine outpatient clinic on telephone number 088 624 24 56 (from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5 pm). Outside office hours and at weekends, call 088 624 50 00. Ask for the pulmonologist on duty.
Do you have problems with the PICC line or infusion pump?
Then contact the home care organization. For example, if the IV line is damaged or blocked. Or if a cap comes loose. You call the telephone number that you have been given by the nurse from the home care organization who will be visiting you.
NB!
If the catheter seems to be sliding out. Never try to push back the catheter! Secure the catheter with an extra patch on your arm and discuss it with the home care nurse.
Do you have questions about the delivery or storage of the medicines?
Then call the pharmacy that supplies you with medicines. You can find the telephone number in the folder you get from the pharmacy.
When will the IV be removed?
If the treatment can be stopped after consultation with your pulmonologist, the home care nurse will remove the PICC line from your arm. They also take used items with them. The infusion pump is picked up by the pharmacy.
If you have any questions, you can call the location where you are being treated:
Zwolle
Pulmonary medicine
088 624 24 56 (available on working days from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Meppel
Pulmonary medicine
088 624 96 38 (available on working days from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
2023-08-25 14:31:02
#Bronchiectasis #Antibiotic #Infusion #Treatment #Home #Isala
