Wellness

[CatsyCline]

Has anyone had a course of antibiotics via a PICC line? The patient is going to be at home.    treatment is  4-6 weeks and the medication  has to be kept in fridge.

[Lu12jm]

I did the pic line antibiotics for my husband. A nurse came out to the house and showed me how to do it and the things that I should notice that could be wrong such as the line moving. It is taped down so that is not really an issue. The nurse came back 3 times a week to check the line and order supplies. It is easy to do. Make sure you get a lesson and you or however will be administrating the drug will do fine. 

[newagain888888]

My husband had a picc line over several months to treat lyme disease. The supplies and antibiotic medications were delivered by a home health care company and technically overseen by a doctor, but we administered all of the treatments ourselves. The most important thing is to flush the line regularly to prevent infection and to be careful not to get the area wet. My husband wrapped his arm in ten layers of Saran Wrap when taking a shower. 

[chrystaltree]

Yes, when my daughter was 11 she had osteomyelitis.  She spent a month in the hospital on i.v. antibiotics and then she was home on PICC line antibiotics for another month.  It's easy to do, the hospital will give you all the instructions you need.  

[akaburtonfan]

I had to do my dad's antibiotics this way because my mother the retired nurse was too stressed to do them.

A home health nurse came and showed me what I needed to do and then came back to make sure I was comfortable doing it. I was very nervous about doing it but it was a fairly easy process. 

Just ask questions and take notes. 

[Zhills]

This 'at home' treatment is not covered by Medicare!  Should be, it's expensive.

[CatsyCline]

Thank you for all of your replies.

You are correct, @Zhills, Medicare doesn't pay and the antibiotics are $200 per week. My mother needs to be on the IV 4-6 weeks, and they are swapping out antibiotics today because of her rash.  I hope its not one that causes nausea.

My mother had a 2nd hip replacement nearly a month ago. She got the infection, in her incision, "pseudomonas",  in the hospital, after being on IVmeds for Afib (she nevr had a heart condition before, age 87)

I don'tbelieve going home was the best idea, she used up her Hospital time but didnt want to go to a SNF although the hospitalist recommended it. My niece is there with trying to do her best with the infusions  but there are other problems, the incision hasn';t closed, a rash, helping her grandmother at night to use the toilet, timing her infusions and probiotics and a dozen new meds,  dealing with the nurses.   they come every other day.

[Zhills]

My heart goes out to you.  She would be so much better off in a ANF.  Not just for her but the wear and tear on the ones taking care of her. So many complications to deal with!  Wishing you and her the best.  Keep us posted. God bless you all.

[CatsyCline]

Thank you @Zhills ....now she has to see additonal doctors every week, and an infectious disease doctor a distance away, for many weeks ahead

The original plan was for her to have her hip done, have a quick rehab and PT  and  get on a plane just after the new year with my niece and fly to Florida for the winter.   Hopefully she is better by March and can go then.

[151949]

Just another example of how we are allowing the insurance companies to dictate patients care. What if the patient would get an anaphalactic reaction to the drugs while receiving them at home? This is not uncommon.