Indications:
- To give the antibiotic to your child, an intravenous catheter is placed in a superficial or deep vein.
- The steps in the method below may serve as a guide; speak to your healthcare team about the specific equipment that your child uses.
Considerations:
- This catheter requires special care to ensure proper function and prevent infections.
- The catheter entry site should not change in appearance and the protective dressing should be kept clean and dry at all times.
- Good handwashing is essential before and after providing care.
- Optimize your child’s comfort during care with appropriate positioning and the use of distraction.
Frequency:
- Monitoring of the catheter site and dressing should be done:
- before and after each administration of an antibiotic with an elastomeric infusion pump or an ambulatory infusion pump operating on a discontinuous basis.
- at least once a day when changing the bag or the reservoir cassette with or without the tubing, if continuous ambulatory infusion pump is used.
- at least once a day if the catheter is not being used.
- The length of the external part of the catheter must also be checked at least once a day.
- Your healthcare team will advise you of the procedures for changing the dressing at the catheter entry site.
Required materials:
Refer to your healthcare team if the material used or the sequence of steps taught is different from what is described in the method of care.