General care

• Do not touch your line.
• Keep the line clean and dry.
• If you notice any redness, swelling or bleeding contact your Community Nursing Team.
• If you feel unwell inform your nurse or contact your GP for advice.
• When getting dressed, if the line is in your arm, put that arm in the garment first.
• Do not allow any children, pets or anyone untrained near your line, drugs or equipment.
• Your community nurse will arrange the removal of the sharps bin (this may be via the local council collection).

Call for help sooner rather than later.

What activities can I do and can I go out?

Remember that you are still receiving treatment for your condition. Rest is important, only do what you feel is comfortable. Try to walk around gently and regularly. If you receive your medication via a peripheral cannula, it is not advisable to go out except for medical reasons. However, if you have a peripherally inserted central catheter line or skin tunnelled catheter there is no reason why you cannot go out. If you do go out please make sure you are available to receive your medication.

Can I have a bath or shower?

Yes, but keep the line and the dressing dry, a wet dressing will attract germs, and risks coming loose.

What happens if the nurse does not visit on the day I get home?

It may be that you have had your medication for that day and are not due your next dose until the following day. However, if you are sure your medication is due and the nurse has not contacted you or turned up, please telephone the GP surgery. If this is out of your GP surgery hours, contact your local doctor on call, and they can request that a nurse contacts you directly.

How many times a day will I need to have my medication?

If you are unsure how often your medication is to be given (usually once or twice a day), the nurse will explain this to you and confirm approximate nurse visit times.

Does my medication have any side effects?

More serious side effects are rare. Side effects to medication can either be due to allergy (which may be a sudden severe reaction or, more commonly, a rash) or take the form of one or more of a variety of non-specific symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness.

Should you develop any symptoms whilst the nurse is administering the medication, let your nurse know immediately.

If the nurse has left and you begin to feel unwell, develop a rash, throat discomfort, itchiness or other serious symptoms such as shortness of breath that could indicate an allergic reaction to the medicines contact NHS 111 or dial 999.

What happens if the line comes out?

If it is a peripheral cannula do not panic. Sit down and apply pressure directly on the bleeding point using a clean dry cloth or towel. Elevate the limb if you are able and continue to apply firm pressure for five to 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Call your Community Nursing Team. On the rare occasion that the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, contact NHS 111.

A peripheral cannula is a small tube about six to eight centimetres long, inserted into the vein - usually hand or arm and usually replaced every 96 hours.

For other devices (peripherally inserted central catheter lines and skin tunnelled catheters) displacement is rare. However, apply direct pressure to the bleeding point. Immediately contact NHS 111 or visit Accident and Emergency. If bleeding is severe call 999.

What will happen if my medication cannot continue at home?

Occasionally problems do occur such as:

• you are not responding to medication
• a reaction to the medication occurs
• if using a peripheral cannula, the nurses are unable to resite your cannula - into a vein in the hand or arm
• problems with your line e.g. peripherally inserted central catheter, skin tunnelled catheter or implanted ports, requiring a visit to the hospital.

In these events, your nurse will seek advice from the hospital or GP and it may be necessary to re-admit you to hospital. Your community nurse, will advise you how to get to hospital, depending upon the seriousness of your condition.

Whom do I contact if I have any concerns about my medication when I am at home?

The community nurses will provide contact telephone numbers.

You are being given this leaflet because your doctors and nurses have identified that you are suitable to receive your intravenous medication at home.

The Community Nursing Service in your area will provide this service in partnership with your GP and staff at the hospital.

Before you go home

The doctors or nursing staff in hospital will explain why you are suitable for this treatment; they will explain the risks and benefits to you in regard to receiving your intravenous medication at home.

You will have a line inserted into a vein, usually in your arm or chest, to allow for your medication to be inserted directly into your blood stream (there are different types so ask the nursing staff to explain about your one).

The nurses on the ward will contact the Community Nursing Service in your area, whilst you are in hospital. They will be informed of your discharge date and will make arrangements to see you once you are home.

You will be sent home with your medication, a completed drug chart, and a letter for your nurse and GP. Please keep all of this safe and give to the nurse when they visit. The nurse will also bring other equipment that is needed.

The community nurses will advise you how to store your medication and equipment. However, it must be out of reach of children and animals, away from direct heat and sunlight.

Please keep them in a safe place.