Your medicine will be prepared and administered in our office. Patients requiring multiple daily doses will be given instructions for home administration as well. To ensure the stability of your medication, it must be stored as directed by our instructions. Some medications need to be kept in the refrigerator. Medications must be at room temperature before they can be given.
– To protect your medications from other items, keep them in the zip-lock bag in which you received them.
– Store supplies and room temperature medications and flushes in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.
– Carefully examine each container for any cracks or other signs of possible damage.
– Check each medication label to verify your name, medication, frequency of administration, expiration date and overall appearance.
– Notify Infusion Solutions the day any damage is discovered to make arrangements for replacement. Save the damaged medication for examination by the infusion personnel.

Refrigerated Medications
– When you receive your delivery, place one dose at room temperature if it is to be given the same day.
– Put the rest in the refrigerator.
– Keep refrigerated medications at the proper temperature (36 to 46°F).
– Remove each dose from the refrigerator at least 4 to 6 hours (or as instructed) before use in order to bring it to room temperature.
– Do NOT attempt to warm your medications by placing them in a microwave oven, boiling water, direct sunlight or any other source of heat. Doing this can damage the drug, making it unsafe to use.

Frozen Medications
– When you receive your delivery, place enough medicine for one day in the refrigerator. Put the rest in the freezer.
– Keep frozen medications at the proper temperature (-4 to 14°F). Do not allow them to thaw until the day they are to be used.
– Be careful not to drop the frozen medication containers or allow anything to fall on them.
– When you remove your last dose of the day from the refrigerator, place the next day’s doses in the refrigerator to thaw. As they thaw, check the containers for any signs of leaking. If a container leaks, do not use it.
– Allow each dose to reach room temperature before it is given.

Medication Preparation

Medication preparation in the home should be conducted with these recommendations:

• WASH YOUR HANDS carefully and thoroughly before and after any procedure.
• The medication preparation area should be free of “traffic.”
• Avoid using kitchens or bathrooms as drug preparation areas, because they can contain large amounts of bacteria.
• Avoid the use of ceiling, table and window fans during medication preparation.
• If the medication preparation area is near a window, the window should be closed.
• Small children and pets should not be allowed into the medication preparation area.
• Clean and disinfect your drug preparation area/table as directed by your Infusion Services nurse.
• If possible, the medication preparation area should be in a secure location.
• Infusion supplies and syringes should be disposed of in the safety container provided.
• Dressing changes and catheter care will be performed as directed in the office and on schedule to prevent exposure to potentially infectious material.
• Surfaces or equipment contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids should be washed with detergent, water and a household bleach solution.
• We must encourage you and your caregiver to report accurately and promptly the first signs of any infection (including, but not limited to, any rise in body temperature, redness or discharge around catheter sites, rashes, spots, other skin disorders, tenderness, inflammation, pain, immobility, swelling, etc.) to your doctor or your Infusion Solutions nurse.

Line Maintenance

1. Wash your hands.
2. Gather your equipment: alcohol preps and Heparin syringe.
3. Wipe off the end of the catheter cap with the alcohol wipe and allow it to air dry.
4. Screw the saline syringe into the end of the catheter.
5. Push 5 ml of the saline into the catheter.
6. Unscrew the syringe and discard it.
7. Screw the heparin syringe into the end of the catheter.
8. Push 3 ml of the saline into the catheter.
9. Unscrew the syringe and discard it.
10. Recoil the extension under a sock or tape it to the skin.

Flushing Schedule

Please follow the instructions given to you by Infusion Solutions

Infection Control in Your Home

Because the environment can affect the transmission of infection, infectious diseases can be reduced by careful attention to your home environment.

Germsn can be spred by:

• Contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood, urine, stool).
• Skin-to-skin contact.
• Touching an object with germs on it (e.g., toys, clothing, bedding).
• Coughing and sneezing.

10 Ways to Reduce Infection in Your Home

• Wash hands often and well, scrubbing 15 seconds vigorously each time.
• Avoid sharing personal hygiene articles.
• Cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and dispose of tissues in a trash bin lined with plastic.
• Wash the dishes and laundry of an infected person in warm, soapy water, and allow them to air dry if possible.
• Keep the environment as clean as possible (i.e., kitchens, bathrooms, countertops, floors and refrigerators).
• Avoid shaking linens when removing them from a bed to prevent excessive airborne activity.
• Avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy products (eggs, milk), raw seafood and undercooked meats.
• Use small containers for food, and use the contents completely at one serving to prevent bacterial growth in leftovers.
• Use precaution when caring for pets. Keep litter boxes, birdcages and aquariums clean, and wash hands after contact.
• Soiled bandages, medical gloves and disposable pads should be placed in securely fastened plastic bags before they’re put in the garbage with other trash.

General Safety

To ensure patient safety at home, it’s important to make sure that:

• Emergency phone numbers are posted near or by each telephone.
• Electrical appliances and cords are clean and in good working condition.
• Lighting throughout the house is adequate.
• The heating system is checked and cleaned regularly by someone qualified to do maintenance. Space heaters, if used, should be maintained and used according to the manufacturer specifications.
• The water heater thermostat is set below 120°F to prevent accidental scalding.
• Torn, frayed carpeting is repaired, replaced or removed. Throw rugs have a nonskid backing and are not placed in traffic areas. Move objects that could trip you; for example, electrical cords or throw rugs.

Medical Equipment Safety

Ensure That:

• Manufacturer instructions for specialized medical equipment are kept with or near the equipment.
• Routine and preventive maintenance is performed according to the manufacturer instructions.
• Emergency phone numbers are available in the home so that you can notify the company and obtain any necessary assistance in case of equipment problems or equipment failure.
• Manufacturer’s instructions are followed in order to provide a proper environment for specialized medical equipment.
• Adequate electrical power is provided for medical equipment, such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other equipment.
• Equipment batteries are checked regularly.
• No settings on any equipment are adjusted unless you’re instructed to do so by your nurse or physician.
• Smoke alarms are installed. Be sure to check the batteries in your smoke alarms when you change your clocks for daylight-saving time in the spring and fall.

Falls can and do occur in all age groups, but the chance of falling increases with age. Each year, three out of every ten people over age 65 will fall. Often these falls happen at home and can lead to serious injury. The good news is that many of these falls can be prevented. Christiana Care wants to help you make your home a safer place. Please use these tips to help prevent falls in your home:

General

• Be sure hallways, stairs and other areas are brightly lit.
• Remove all clutter (e.g., boxes, stacks of magazines, toys, extra furniture).
• Get rid of throw rugs. Tack down loose or torn carpet.
• Use non-slip wax on floors.
• Apply safety tape to changes in surface levels so that they are easier to see.
• Install nightlights or motion-detector lights in commonly used areas (i.e., hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms).
• Keep electrical and telephone cords out of your walkways. Remove extension cords.
• Be aware of pets that can get under your feet.
• Consider a personal emergency response system or cell phone if you live alone or spend most of the day alone.
• Keep important phone numbers close to your phone, including 911 and those of your physicians, family, etc. Also keep a phone close to your bed.

Medications

• Some medicines may place you at a higher risk for falls (e.g., some heart, blood pressure, sleeping, nerve, water, allergy and cold medicines). Check with your health care provider if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
• Share a list of all medications you are taking with your physician. Be sure to include those ordered by your doctor and any medicines, herbs or natural products that you take.
• Keep your medicine list with you at all times. Also place this list close to your phone in case of an emergency.

Clothing

• Be sure to wear your hearing aid or glasses if you need them.
• Wear shoes that fit and have no heels. Or wear sturdy slippers with non-skid soles. Do not wear shoes with thick heavy soles. Try using shoes with elastic laces or Velcro closures.
• Do not wear clothes that are too long.

Kitchen and Other Rooms

• Make an open pathway throughout your house.
• Arrange furniture so you can avoid tripping or bumping into it.
• Use a normal-height bed or lower bed if you’re likely to fall from your bed.
• Install and use handrails where possible for balance when you’re walking.

Bathroom

• Install grab bars to help you get in and out of the bathtub or shower or on and off the toilet.
• Use non-skid bath mats or rubber strips on the bottom of the bathtub or shower.
• Use a shower chair, tub bench or raised toilet seat.*
• Leave the bathroom door unlocked, so it can be opened from both sides.

Assistive Devices

• Use walkers, canes and wheelchairs as recommended.*

Activity

• If you experience lightheadedness due to low blood sugar or low blood pressure, be sure to eat soon after you wake up. If needed, keep a drink or snack at your bedside.
• Change position slowly. Dangle your legs at the side of your bed, sofa, etc., for a few minutes before standing.
• Place things that you use often within easy reach.
• Avoid climbing and reaching to high shelves. Use a reacher or stable stepstool with handrails. Do not stand on a chair to reach high shelves.

Stairs

• Cover stairs with tightly woven carpet or non-slip treads.
• Install sturdy handrails on both sides of your stairways and any outside steps.
• Tighten loose handrails.