Help With SQ Infusion

Specialties Home Health

Published

Hi! With SQ injection/infusion such as in Desferal over 12 hours, daily..

does the needle/tubing need to be changed daily?

my patient keeps the needle in until i visit, and the tegaderm is intact.

can i keep it for 3 days like peripheral IV sites?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice, Palliative Care, HH.

My experience with SQ infusions in the hospice setting is that we would change out the needle every 4 days, similar to an IV, as long as the tegaderm is intact and the site is not compromised. I've heard some can remain in for 7 days. Attach a pigtail to the hub just like an IV and it should be fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Yes you can leave it until you visit and change it as LONG as there is not too great of an accumulation of the drug in the tissue. What is the volume of the med. The long infusion rate over 12 hrs allows for a slow and steady absorption helps and then the next dose due in 12 hrs. You want there to be enough tissue available to absorb the med with the subsequent infusions. So what is the volume? and how is she handling it..how does the tissue look on the

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment