Caring for your cannula at home

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is to give patients and carers information looking after a cannula at home

Why do you need to have a cannula in place?

A cannula is inserted into a vein in your arm or your hand in order to deliver your intravenous therapy.

A needle is used to insert the cannula. This is then removed leaving a small hollow plastic tube in place. The cannula is designed to sit comfortably in your vein for up to 72 hours. Going home with the cannula in place avoids the need to use a needle to insert a new one for each intravenous drip required during the brief period of your treatment. This reduces the risk of infection and damage to veins and also means that you do not need to stay in hospital overnight while your treatment is in progress.

How do you take care of the cannula?

The cannula is covered with a see-through dressing; this will help to keep the cannula firmly in place and allow the site to be clearly seen. Although the dressing is waterproof, it is advisable to avoid getting it wet during washing.

Please contact the OPAT team if the area around the cannula becomes red or inflamed, is painful to touch or you have any other concerns.

Take care when removing items of clothing to avoid accidentally dislodging the cannula.

What should you do if the cannula is accidentally dislodged?

Should the cannula become accidentally dislodged there will be some bleeding from the site. Please follow these instructions:

• Please do not attempt to reinsert the cannula.
• Apply firm pressure over the site with a gauze swab or cotton wool for three minutes.
• Apply a small waterproof plaster to the site.
• Keep the cannula in a safe place in a plastic bag.
• Bring the cannula with you to the hospital on your next visit to be disposed of
• Inform the OPAT team when you come for your appointment.

Contact and additional information

OPAT specialist nurses

• Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00: 01223 596369
• Please note- The OPAT nurses are not available weekends or bank holidays.
• After hours, weekends and bank holidays: 01223 245151 and ask for on-call infectious diseases registrar.