Community Nursing
Please note this leaflet should only be used following discussions with the South Tees community nursing team.
You are receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics to speed up your recovery from the infection you have. Intravenous means the antibiotics go straight into your blood stream. This leaflet contains information about how you will receive this treatment and what to do if you have any problems.
To be completed by the clinician:
| Name of IV antibiotic: | |
| Dose: | |
| Date started: | |
| Date of review or completion of treatment: | |
| Type of vascular access device: | |
| Date inserted: |
Where will I receive my treatment?
You will receive this treatment in a community clinic, hospital day clinic, or your own home. As you get better, the place of your
treatment may be changed. However, please be assured that the care you receive will be of the same standard, wherever it is given.
How will I have the treatment?
A clinical practitioner will give you the antibiotic treatment through a vascular access device. A vascular access device is the medical name for how we get the medication into your bloodstream. We will use one of the following, depending on your medical condition:
- A winged infusion device, sometimes called a butterfly needle, which is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand.
- A cannula – this is a thin, plastic tube inserted through your skin into a vein in your arm or hand.
- A midline – this is like a cannula, but is a longer length, and it can stay in place for up to 28 days.
- A Hickman line – this is a long, thin tube inserted by a doctor into a vein in your chest.
- A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) which is like a central line. It is usually put into one of the large veins of the arm, above the bend of the elbow.
- A Porta Cath – this is a combination of a portal and a catheter, inserted by a doctor into a vein in your chest.
What if I have problems?
If you have a cannula inserted, please note that it can come out of place and may bleed. If this happens, there is no need to panic. If you can, take the cannula out. Cover the area with a clean tissue or cotton wool and press hard. The bleeding will normally stop in a few minutes, and you can apply a plaster.
If the bleeding does not stop, keep applying the pressure to your arm and lift your arm above your head.
If you have any of the following around the area of your cannula, midline, Hickman line, PICC or Porta Cath:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Leakage
Please ring the community team providing your treatment as soon as possible, available 24 hours per day 7 days per week on the contact details at the end of this leaflet.
Allergic reaction
Allergic reactions to antibiotics are rare. However, if you are receiving IV antibiotics, you must be aware that this can happen.
If you:
- Feel suddenly unwell, faint or have heart palpitations.
- Experience wheezing or shortness of breath.
- Have swelling in your mouth or throat.
Dial 999 for an ambulance.
If you develop:
- A rash or severe itching.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Diarrhoea and, or you are being sick.
Seek medical attention immediately by contacting the community team providing your treatment, NHS 111, or your GP surgery.
Chaperone
If you feel you would like a chaperone, please discuss with your visiting nurse prior to the procedure. To accommodate this your visit may need to be rescheduled. A care, friend or relative is welcome to support you during procedures.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact:
Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland team
Telephone: 01642 065070 (Option 2, UCR) 7 days per week, 24 hours per day
Email: [email protected]
The Hambleton and Richmondshire team
Telephone: 01609 764407
Email: [email protected]
Patient Experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]