Could someone e-mail me a copy of a contract used when placing a PICC for IV antibiotics in a patient currently using drugs?Of course the patient says he will not use line for recreational drugs, but I wonder if a contract would show that we addressed this with him prior to discharge , advised him of risks, etc
Angie
Angie,
If a patient is a known IV drug user, they will not be discharged home with any kind of access. Usually, this patient is discharged to a nursing home for the duration of IV antibiotic treatment so that they can be supervised. The other options are, of course, PO meds and for one of our patients, who did not want to go to a nursing home and needed IV over PO - she came into our medical unit and was stuck every day for the duration of her treatment.
That's just how we deal with the situation when it arises.
Kelly
Hi Kelly and all.
I just did a search on this issue since it is coming up more frequently for our PICC team. Usually our procedure is what you have outlined however we have had at least one very serious complication recently.
In the past I worked in home infusion and can understand the contract that is outlined in this thread, however if the patient was actively using drugs we would have to withdraw from the case due to staff safety and patient (non-compliance) once a plan was in place. By the time it gets to that, the patient would have already broken any agreement or rights and responsibilities in place.
What does everyone else do out there?
Thank you.