Discharged From Hospital With Cannula In Arm?

[Barquentine]

Father-in-law had a cannula inserted on Christmas Eve and stayed in overnight on a drip. He was discharged on Christmas Day. They had given him some hospital pyjamas and he had his jumper on then put his coat on so we didn't notice it. We took him home and have been to see him every day since - that's now 5 days since they inserted the cannula. Today when we went to his house we noticed it was still in. He has been sleeping with it in his arm too. Is this normal? My view is that it's a major blunder. I've found two news articles online which suggest hospitals are supposed to check for bits and pieces of medical stuff attached to a patient and remove them. I'm telling the wife that we should pull it out straightaway, but she trusts the hospital to know what they're doing. He has to go back tomorrow to start some radiotherapy, but the bits I have found indicate cannulae can cause problems if left in. If we pull it out will it bleed or can we stick a plaster on?

[JimF]

That is ridiculous! There is no way he should have been discharged like this. Take him to A&E right now and ask them to remove it.

[Maydup]

Absolutely leave it in. If hes going back tomorrow one more night wont make any difference.

[Maydup]

Yes, you could take him to A&E but please dont pull it out yourselves.

[237SJ]

Yes it is a blunder but as it has been there for a few days I would leave it until tomorrow and get it removed when he goes to hospital.

[Apc2604]

Cannulas are often left in for patients are going back in for treatment, or which your father is within 24 hours now. Whatever you do don't pull it out. He will be at risk of infection.

[237SJ]

"Take him to A&E right now and ask them to remove it" This is why A&E departments are so overwhelmed.

[ubasses]

There is every chance that if he is going to have radiotherapy the canula could have been left on purpose. My friend has a canula in her arm during her course of radiotherapy.

[bednobs]

i it causing him any pain? If not, and you don't want to take it out just leave it in till tomorrow. If it's causing him pain, just unstick the plaster then slide it out, and hold down on the hole with some cotton wool or loo paper/kitchen roll/tissue for a minute or so before covering ith a plaster. it's not a "major blunder" just a simple (human mistake)

[RATTER15]

I was discharged only a few days ago with a double cannula in my arm. I just peeled of the plasters holding it in place and pulled it out, a small plaster on to check any bleeding. No problem and painless!

[JimF]

"the canula could have been left on purpose"

He would surely be aware of that.

[alavahalf]

You have had good advice on this thread .. you have also had bad advice. Perhaps it was meant to be left in ?
Have you already left for an 'All nighter' in A&E. If not before you leave just Google ..
.. nhs going home with a canula ..
Then you may realise that you shouldn't listen to everything people say on the internet.

[bednobs]

if it was meant to be left in he would know or there would be something in the discharge letter They probably wouldn't leave it in for 5 days, even if it was meant to be used in the RT. In sqads words, it's "no big deal" to put another in

[RATTER15]

Some years ago working in a dementia unit, we had a guy with a catheter, he had had it for about 2 years, looking on his notes I couldnd find why he had it. on further investigation, it was put in during an operation and they forgot to remove it on sending him home. It was being maintained correctly by ourselves and district nurses etc. but it should never have been there. it was removed and he was fine with out it. Mistakes happen!

[Canary42]

Ring 111 and get professional advice, not internet know-alls.

[Apc2604]

//the canula could have been left on purpose"

He would surely be aware of that.//

Jim, sometimes we forget instructions after leaving hospital, especially after a procedure or op. Is wise if someone can be there with you when you are discharged. I got instructions about changing dressings after my last op and totally forgot what they said. Fortunately my other half didn't!

[Apc2604]

That's very rude Canary! Answerbank wouldn't exist without 'internet knowalls' as you call us. I suppose you don't count yourself as one!

[Mamyalynne]

For myself I'd remove it.

In this instance however bring it to the Hospital's attention tomorrow.

[jno]

Apc, Canary is just repeating the advice given by AB at the top of the Health section. Considering the range of suggestions on this thread already (remove it, don't remove, it, go to A&E, ignore it...), it's pretty good advice. I'd be ringing 111 myself.

[Apc2604]

'Internet knowalls' is rude Jno. That is what I was referring to, not the 111 advice.

[rowanwitch]

Cannula should only be in place for 72 hours max. Probably unusable now as it would need to be flushed a couple of times a day to prevent it blocking off. Safe to remove,more of an infection risk of left contact the hospital as it should be recorded as a risk management event.