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IV MEROPENUM QUESTION

Lapis5 profile image
10 Replies

DOES IT HAVE TO BE ADMINISTED W A PUMP? OR CAN I DO IT MANUALLY? I HAVE A PORT.

HOME CARE STILL IS NOT ON BOARD SO I AM REALLY SICK AND AFRAID TO GET ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL..

HAD CEFTAZINE W PUMP BUT OTHER IV MEDS I DID MANUALLY.

PLS ADVISE.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

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Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5
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10 Replies
cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

i don’t know what the protocol is in the States but in the UK Meropenem IVs can be Given in hospital, by a team within the community or, if you and resp team feel confident can be administered by the patient at home. It is a post code lottery here in the UK as although Clinicians within C.F units and some bronch specialists have lots of patients doing their own at home, some resp cons are not set up to do this, as you need liaison nurses to do bloods etc beginning and end and change smart site and bloods mid IVs.

Doing IVs with a port is the same as with a mid or longline except you use 3 Heparin after each dose instead of 1.

Good luck xx

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to cofdrop-UK

What i was asking is is this drug administed w a pump in fanny pack, ie : medicine ball. or is it just administered manually>

eleanordigby profile image
eleanordigby

Oh dear, I’m so sorry you’re still not sorted with your IVs, no wonder you’re feeling so ill. As you’ve got a port I can’t understand why there should be a delay. I’ve done meropenem IVs at home quite a few times, but as I don’t have a port I always have to wait a few days to get a PICC line inserted. During the pandemic I had to wait 2-3 weeks for that & was becoming really ill, so I know how you feel.

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to eleanordigby

But was it in a medicine ball and fanny pack or??

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK in reply to Lapis5

I always do it manually x

eleanordigby profile image
eleanordigby in reply to Lapis5

No, last time I had mero, I still had to draw it up into a syringe & mix it with saline in a bag, then infuse it over 30mins. But it’s available as a bolus too, which only takes five mins.

crashdoll profile image
crashdoll in reply to eleanordigby

I had mine as as a bolus. Initially, it was a bit fiddly to make the solution but I got the hang of it very quickly and I preferred it than when I had infusions. Quicker was better for me.

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to crashdoll

What did u cover the port with when u showered and what infection did you have and did this med work?

crashdoll profile image
crashdoll in reply to Lapis5

I don’t have a port. They place a PICC line for the duration of the treatment. I bought a special plastic and elastic arm covering from Amazon but I still try not to get my arm too wet and it’s not 100% effective. It’s this one; amazon.co.uk/LimbO-Waterpro...

I culture pseudomonas and an enterobacteria (I forget what it’s actually called).

Lapis5 profile image
Lapis5 in reply to crashdoll

After having problems w Pic. 4 times i finally decided to get a port and am happy w it so far. No major problem showering. I got several shower sleeves from Amazon, none of them work well. I wrapped my arm w Cling Wrap and tape then the shower sleeve and still got water it it but the Cling wrap works best, w a small piece ofpaper towel under it.. around where the needle is.. try that too. How long have u had Bronchiectasis and PSeudomas? Are u able to work at all.? Do u know how u got this illness?

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