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District Nurses

valm•

12 years ago•9 Replies

Does anyone get their IV antibiotics given at home via the District Nurses/Community Matron?

Do you have access to a community Matron? What does she do for you?

Would appreciate any info many thanks Val

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valm

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Antibiotics

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9 Replies

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gillwigan12 years ago

I get my antibiotics from my GP but it was the specialist COPD Nurse who after coming out to see me wrote to my GP and insisted i should have them at all times in case of infection , in the Wigan area you can self refer to the COPD specialist nurse which my GP wasn't happy about but the help she and her team have given me has been immense .

valm in reply to gillwigan12 years ago

I have oral antibiotics at home but they admit you to hospital here for IV ones - not really happy about that Val

rattles12 years ago

Hi Val

Not sure if this helps you but I do my own iv antibiotics at home, I have no need especially for a community nurse/matron to do them, has it been suggested that you will have to use a matron specifically.

It seems common practice to have a picc line inserted or have a portacath thus enabling you to do your own especially when the antibiotics are required 3-4 times daily. The hospital teach you how to mix the iv's and use the line/port and they supply all the equipment and drugs, it is really easy to do.

I do have access to a community matron but have never needed their help with iv antibiotics. Hope this is of some help to you.

valm in reply to rattles12 years ago

Many thanks for that, on a mission to get things changed here to allow IV's at home, don't do it here Val

valm in reply to rattles12 years ago

Do you have much trouble with your picc line? Very helpful info Val

rattles in reply to valm12 years ago

Hi Val,

I've had no problems with my picc lines to date but i should mention that this is something my specialist hospital provide not my local hospital so im unsure if that makes a difference.

I require iv antibiotics regularly so I go into hospital for picc line insertion and for the drugs to be started, as i also require other iv meds i normally stay 5 days then return home to continue with the i'v antibiotics for a total of 14 days with a dressing change on day 7 at the hospital (community matrons can do this if they have the correct dressings). On the 14th day i return to hospital for the picc line to be removed. We do this every 10-12 weeks in my case to keep on top of infections so my admissions for this treatment is planned elective not an emergency and we decide on the exact interval for iv's when i have my 6 weekly clinic consultations.

It's a fantastic system for me and allows me to spend more time at home. I am soon to be fitted with a portacath which will make it even easier.

You cannot go swimming with a picc and must keep it covered/sealed when bathing/showering, other than that you can do everything as normal obviously taking care to maintain integrity of the line.

valm in reply to rattles12 years ago

Great thanks for that, just options to put forward to them Val

elian12 years ago

I have a Community Matron (attached to my gp's practice) visit me sporadically. In fact the last time she came, she said the next visit would be her last one as I was managing my condition extremely well

I also have visits from a specialist respiratory nurse (attached to the Hospital which supplied my BiPap machine). He also visits infrequently, but I have a list of telephone numbers on which to contact him if I have any questions, or there are problems.

Thankfully, I've been free of infection since February, so only need to keep a supply of antibiotics and steroids (in tablet form) at home.

valm in reply to elian12 years ago

Thanks for the reply going to look into various things that you can access at home, rather than being admitted into hospital by the looks of things it all depends on where you live Val

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