How to insert a subcutaneous cannula

Transcript

[Music plays]

[Text on screen] Please note: This video was specifically produced for carers looking after a person who has chosen to be cared for, and to die at home, if possible.

Please follow your service’s policy and procedures regarding the insertion of a subcutaneous cannula and wearing of gloves and PPE.

caring@home.

Funded by the Australian Government and led by Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative

>>Narrator (female voice over): If you are watching this video, it means that you, together with a team of healthcare professionals, are caring for a person in their own home, helping to keep them as comfortable as possible.

[Text on screen] How to insert a subcutaneous cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): In this video, you will be shown how to insert a subcutaneous cannula.

[Text on screen] How to insert a subcutaneous cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): This is a device that provides a safe and effective way of delivering medicines without the use of needles in certain situations. It allows the person to receive fast symptom relief.

[Text on screen]

• Safe and effective medicine delivery
• No needles
• Fast symptom relief

>>Narrator (female voice over): You only need to watch this video if your nurse asks you to. Please remember that you are part of a team and the decision to help is voluntary. If you are unable to do it, please tell your health care team.

[Text on screen] Only watch this video if your nurse asks you to.

[Text on screen] You are part of a healthcare team.

[Text on screen] This role is voluntary.

[Text on screen] It’s ok if you are unable to do it.

[Text on screen] Wash and dry hands.

>>Narrator (female voice over): To begin, wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.

[Text on screen] Get the things you need

>>Narrator (female voice over): You'll need:

• a subcutaneous cannula
• a transparent waterproof dressing
• an alcohol wipe or similar
• a smart valve connector
• a clean plastic container to put equipment in
• a sharps container.

[Text on screen]

• a subcutaneous cannula
• a transparent waterproof dressing
• an alcohol wipe or similar
• a smart valve connector
• a clean plastic container to put equipment in
• a sharps container.

[Text on screen] Parts of the subcutaneous cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): Here are the important parts of the subcutaneous cannula:

• The needle.
• The white slide clamp.
• The safety shield.
• The Y arm with the vent port.
• The yellow wings.

[Text on screen]

• The needle.
• The white slide clamp.
• The safety shield.
• The Y arm with the vent port.
• The yellow wings.

[Text on screen] Prepare the cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): The next step is to open the cannula packet, keeping it in its clear case. Remove the white slide clamp. Rotate the safety shield tube 360 degrees clockwise to make sure that the needle moves freely in its protective plastic cover. Remove the plastic vent port from the Y arm. Open the smart valve connector packet. Remove the plastic plug and screw the connector onto the wire arm until it is tight. Place the cannula into the plastic container. Then, open the transparent waterproof dressing packaging and place the dressing in the plastic container. Also put the alcohol wipe in the plastic container.

[Text on screen] Write date and time in the medicine diary

>>Narrator (female voice over): Write the date and time that the cannula was inserted. Your nurse would have discussed with you the best place to insert the cannula.

[Text on screen] Where can a subcutaneous cannula be inserted?

>>Narrator (female voice over): The common sites for subcutaneous cannula insertion are arm, upper chest, lower stomach, upper thigh.

[Text on screen] Prepare the insertion site

>>Narrator (female voice over): Now, you can clean the skin around where you will insert the cannula.

[Text on screen] Prepare to insert cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): First, peel the printed backing off the transparent waterproof dressing and leave its sticky side up. Next, remove the protective plastic cover from the cannula needle. Use the white safety shield to rotate the needle so that the sloping edge is on top.

[Text on screen] Insert the cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): The next step is to insert the cannula. Gently gather the person's skin between your thumb and fingers and hold it firmly. Using your other hand, lift the edges of the yellow wings of the cannula so that the raised triangles on the wings come together. Hold the wings together and push the needle into the skin at a 45 degree angle until the whole needle is under the skin. Flatten the yellow wings against the person's skin. Finally, Stick the dressing over the needle entry site, making sure that it also covers the flattened yellow wings of the cannula. This is important to hold the cannula in place.

[Text on screen] Set up the cannula

>>Narrator (female voice over): Now that it is inserted, you will set up the cannula. Hold the yellow Y arm firmly in one hand. This is important. Otherwise, you may pull the plastic tubing out of the person instead of just the needle. With your other hand, pull back in a straight, continuous motion on the loosened white safety shield until the safety shield separates from the cannula. Put the safety shield with its needle into the sharps container. Check the needle entry site to ensure the plastic tubing has stayed under the skin. If the plastic tubing has come out, contact your nurse. If it is present, remove the white backing from the outer edge of the dressing and smooth the edges onto the person's skin.

[Text on screen] The cannula is now setup.

>>Narrator (female voice over): The cannula is now set up and can be used to give medicine.

[Text on screen] caring@home. caringathomeproject.com.au

caring@home is funded by the Australian Government and led by Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative

[Music ends]

End of transcript