for antibiotics IV

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if a child with an perforated appendix is being discharged from hospital and is to continue receiving IV antibiotics at home, has had an IV while in hospital for IV fluids and medications, then will the child be sent home

with an Intermittent Infusion Port, or with a PICC?

Does the current IV have to be discontinued and another started with the Port or PICC, or can the current site be used?

My book says that the Intermittent Port is used for fluid or medication and it is flushed with saline or heparin and then locked.

My book says that a PICC is used for children who need IV access for a period longer than peripheral IV catheters can be adequately maintained. They are used for home antibiotic therapy and left in place for several weeks to months.

thanks

oMerMero

296 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

Most likely the patient would go home with a PICC line if they needed IV antibiotics at home for a few weeks. The peripheral IV would be removed before the patient is sent home. A portacath is an option, but that is usually only for patient who are going to need the access for a long time (months to years).

MegNeoNurse

241 Posts

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

PICC. I'm sure they aren't going to be on abx long-enough to justify the cost and subjection of the patient to a port-a-cath.

GingerSue

1,842 Posts

PICC. I'm sure they aren't going to be on abx long-enough to justify the cost and subjection of the patient to a port-a-cath.

yet it seems like quite a procedure for a PICC - these go into the central venous system - the catheter is threaded so that the tip is located in the superior vena cava

this is why I wondered if the intermittent infusion port would be simpler

The central venous access devices include tunneled and nontunneled central catheters and implanted infusion ports.

How do those implanted infusion ports differ from the intermittent infusion ports?

thanks again

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