Treatment of i.v.-line infection involves removal of the i.v. line/device. Empiric antibiotic therapy directed against gram-positive cocci/aerobc gram-negative bacilli is usually started after blood cultures have been obtained and the removed catheter tip sent for semiquantitative culture.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the area.
Symptoms of an IV line infection
pain where your IV line is. redness or swelling near the IV line. crusting or scabbing appears on skin near your IV line. oozing fluid, blood or pus from where the IV line goes through your skin.
Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection in the body, such as a chest infection which causes pneumonia, a urine infection, an infected cut or bite, an infection in a cannula, or a wound following surgery.
Elevate the site as much as possible to help reduce swelling. Apply a warm or cold compress (depending on the fluid) for 30 minutes every 2-3 hours to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Medication-If recommended, medicine for extravasations is given within 24 hours for best effect.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin, which results from a blood clot. This condition may occur after recently using an IV line, or after trauma to the vein. Some symptoms can include pain and tenderness along the vein and hardening and feeling cord-like.
Thrombophob ointment is a topical medicine. It is used to reduce swelling, pain, and local bruising. It is also helpful to treat superficial clots in thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein related to a blood clot) and superficial bruising.
Despite its benefits and frequent use, intravenous cannulation has complications that can seriously threaten patient safety such as clotting, occlusion, leakage, infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, and infection [4].
The most common microorganisms associated with infections associated with IV cannulae are those that occur naturally on the skin (skin commensals), particularly staphylococci, which originate from the skin of both healthcare professionals and patients.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is defined as the presence of bacteremia originating from an intravenous catheter. It is one of the most frequent, lethal, and costly complications of central venous catheterization and also the most common cause of nosocomial bacteremia.
Gram-positive bacteremia
Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common gram-positive organism isolated from blood (~ 30% of isolates) and accounts for the majority of infections that are associated with an intravascular catheter.
o The cannula must be kept dry. o If you see redness or swelling at the entry point, or there is pain when fluid or medication is put through, this may indicate infection (this must be dealt with promptly, so please tell us). resolved by removing the cannula.
Infiltration is the most common complication for peripheral IVs, occurring 24% of the time on average. (1) Infiltration occurs from erosion or penetration of the catheter into or through the vein wall. It results in the infusion of medicine into the surrounding soft tissues as can be seen in the image to the right.
Discomfort or pain during an infusion indicates vein damage that will lead to infiltration.
He found that of the approximately 200 million peripheral venous catheters inserted into adult patients in the United States every year, the incidence of bloodstream infection is about 0.18 percent (i.e., close to two such infections for every 1,000 of these catheters inserted).
It should heal within a couple of weeks. Your provider will wait to use the vein for any further needle insertions until it's healed.
Use either a transparent dressing or sterile gauze to cover the cannula site. Replace cannula site dressings when they become damp, loosened, or soiled, or when the device is removed or replaced. Change dressings more frequently in diaphoretic patients.
Causes of cellulitis
Many conditions, events or procedures can cause this, including cracked skin due to dryness, eczema or tinea pedis, cuts or penetrating wounds, burns, insect bites or stings, surgery and IV cannulation.
Complications include infection, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, emboli, pain, haematoma or haemorrhage, extravasation, arterial cannulation and needlestick injuries.
Sepsis happens when an infection spreads and causes the body to react strongly to the germs. The body's defense system normally releases chemicals to fight off infection at the infected area. In sepsis, chemicals are released throughout the body.
Thrombophlebitis frequently occurs with an intravenous cannula. Either the cannula or the infusion, including drugs, may have caused the inflammation. A small lump may appear days or weeks after the cannula has been removed and it can take months to resolve completely.
Cannula complications
Redness, swelling or tenderness around the cannula site can be indicative of a localised reaction and may necessitate the removal of the cannula. Patients should make medical staff aware if their cannula site becomes painful or if they notice any swelling or redness around the site.
The cannula should not hurt when it is in place. It will be left in whilst you have your treatment. If you feel any pain where the cannula has been put in; your skin goes red, feels hot or itchy then tell a nurse. The staff should check your cannula each day.