The Luwero District Health Officer, Dr. Innocent Nkonwa, has cautioned health workers against discharging patients with intravenous (IV) cannulas still inserted in their hands, describing the practice as unethical and unacceptable.
An IV cannula is a small, flexible tube inserted into a vein, usually in the back of the hand or arm, to allow medicines, fluids or blood products to be delivered directly into the bloodstream. The needle used to insert the cannula is removed, leaving the tube in the vein for the duration of treatment.
Dr. Nkonwa said cannulas are intended for patients who are admitted and require intravenous treatment and should be removed once treatment is completed, before the patient is discharged from the health facility.
He said it has become increasingly common for some health workers to discharge patients with cannulas still in place, leaving them to move around in public with the tubes attached to their hands. Nkonwa warned that the practice puts patients at unnecessary risk of complications and infections.
He said patients moving around with cannulas could be exposed to infections, some serious like infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart that can be difficult to treat.
Medical reports also indicate that movement and friction around the cannula site can irritate the inner lining of the vein, potentially causing pain, swelling, inflammation and blood clots. The cannula may also become dislodged, resulting in tissue damage or bleeding, particularly if the patient is involved in an accident. Nkonwa advised health workers to consider alternative methods of administering medication for patients who cannot be admitted for observation and continued intravenous treatment.
He stressed that patients should not be allowed to leave health facilities with cannulas in place simply because they are unable to remain admitted. “This practice is unethical and unacceptable,” Nkonwa said, warning that any health worker found discharging a patient with a cannula would be held individually accountable for their actions.
He urged health workers to adhere to proper medical procedures and prioritize patient safety when discharging patients from health facilities.
Rose Namujju, a resident of Luwero Town, said that although moving around with cannulas is dangerous, as explained by the doctor, some patients choose to do so, to avoid the costs associated with admission to health facilities, especially when their conditions are not considered critical.
Namujju said some patients prefer to receive treatment and return home with the cannula still in place, rather than spend additional time and money staying at the health facility for monitoring.-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
