A vein is a type of blood vessel that returns blood from the tissues back to the heart; it has impure blood that contains less of oxygen and more of carbon dioxide and this blood needs to be pumped by the heart to lungs for purification (correction of oxygen and carbon dioxide content of impure blood to normal levels).
- Keep asking your doctors and nurses to explain why you need the catheter and how long you will have it
- Make sure that all doctors and nurses caring for you clean their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for you. If you do not see your health care providers cleaning their hands, please ask them to do so
- If the catheter dressing comes off or becomes wet or dirty, tell your nurse or doctor immediately
- Inform your nurse or doctor if the area around your catheter is sore or red
- Do not let family and friends who visit you touch the catheter or the tubing
- Make sure family and friends clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after visiting you in case they are getting into contact with you