Receiving intravenous antibiotics in the community

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

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.

Name of IV antibiotic…………………………………………..
Dose…………………………………………………………………
Date started……………………………………………….
Date of review / completion of IV antibiotic 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 if you are housebound. As you get better, the place of your treatment may be changed. However, please be assured that the care you receive will be to the same expert level,
wherever it is given.

Please bring any medical notes or letters with you when you have a clinic or hospital appointment.

How will I have the treatment?
A nurse 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 central line – this is long, thin tube inserted by a doctor into a vein in your chest.
• A midline – this is similar to a cannula but it is a longer length and it can stay in place for up to 28 days.
• A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) which is similar to a central line. It is usually put into one of the large veins of the arm, above the bend of the elbow.

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 pressure to your arm and lift your arm above your head.

In either case, ring the IV nurse on call:

IV nurse contact information
Ring 01384 321241 (8.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week) or 07786 431186 (8am to 6pm, seven days a week)
Out of these hours, ring Russells Hall Hospital switchboard on 01384 456111 and ask for the out of hours district nurse.

If you have any of the following around the area of your cannula, midline, central line or PICC line:
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Leakage
Please contact the IV nurse as soon as possible.

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 IV nurse on call, NHS 111 or your GP surgery.

For further information:

Community IV team on:
01384 321241 (8.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week) or
07786 431186 (8am to 6pm, seven days a week)
Out of these hours, ring Russells Hall switchboard on
01384 456111 and ask for the out of hours district nurse.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Kate Owen Date reviewed: July 2022 Next review due: August 2026 Version: 4 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/00863