Intravenous (IV) Cannula Download PDF, 1.27MB, PDF What Is an Intravenous (IV) Cannula? An IV cannula is a small, short piece of plastic tube. It is inserted into a vein, usually in the hand or arm by a trained healthcare professional, to receive intravenous medications or fluids. An extension tubing will be attached to the cannula along with a transparent dressing to secure the cannula. The cannula will be covered with a bandage for extra protection. The bandage dressing will be changed at each clinic visit. How Often Do I Need to Change My Cannula? Every 72 hours When the cannula is blocked or has slipped out of position (dislodged) When the site around the cannula becomes red/ painful/ swollen/ hard/ puffy/ hot How Do I Care for My Cannula at Home? Do: Wash your hands before touching your cannula site Keep your cannula dressing dry at all times Cover the cannula with a waterproof material (e.g. plastic bag) and seal the edges with tapes before showering Inform the nurse if the cannula has dislodged Don’t: Touch the cannula unnecessarily Perform heavy lifting with the arm inserted with IV cannula Remove the dressing Pull the cannula out Inject anything into the cannula Submerge the cannula site in water, such as bathtub or swimming pool What Should I Do If I Face Problems with My Cannula? If the cannula is dislodged, Do not panic and do not attempt to reinsert the cannula or reconnect the tubing Apply gentle pressure on the cannula site with a clean gauze to stop bleeding (if any) Keep the cannula and bring it to the clinic during your next visit Apply a plaster when the bleeding stops Notify OPAT clinic staff immediately If bleeding is observed from the cannula site, Apply gentle pressure on the bleeding site with a clean gauze to stop the bleeding Notify OPAT clinic staff immediately and return to the clinic to change dressing at your earliest convenient time If the cannula dressing became loose, Do not attempt to change the cannula dressing Reinforce the cannula dressing with clean tape Notify OPAT clinic staff immediately How do I remove my IV cannula? Wash and dry your hands, and wear gloves afterwards Remove bandage and transparent dressing Gently apply a clean gauze on top of the insertion site Remove the cannula slowly Apply pressure at the removal site with the gauze until bleeding stops Apply plaster if you are not allergic to it Notify the Nurse Immediately When: You have a fever with >38°C There are swelling and pain experienced at the cannula site The area around the cannula becomes red/ painful/ swollen/ hard/ puffy/ hot The cannula or extension tubing has been dislodged There is bleeding at the IV cannula site What Should I Look Out for After the Cannula Has Been Removed? A trained nurse or doctor will remove the cannula for you after you complete your treatment (or earlier if there are any problems). Continue to monitor the ex-cannula site for pain, redness or swelling within 48 hours after removal and notify OPAT clinic staff if the above happens. Contact Nurses at Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) Clinic: OPAT Clinic Operating Hours Contact NumberOperating HoursOn Weekdays:8.00am – 5.30pmOn Sat, Sun and PH: 8.00am – 12.00pm 6357 8275After Operating Hours9722 6243Or visit Emergency Department (if required)
