Patient Teaching

Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a procedure to end a pregnancy in the second trimester. It may be done for many reasons.

IV infiltration is when some of the fluid leaks out under the skin where the tube has been put into your vein. You may have swelling, pain, burning in the IV area. This is a common problem.

If you have a long-term (chronic) health condition that makes your blood oxygen levels too low, your healthcare provider may prescribe oxygen. This is also called oxygen therapy or supplemental oxygen.

When it's time to try breathing without the ventilator, the healthcare team goes through a process to make sure it's safe and the person is as comfortable as possible. This sheet can help you understand how it's done.

Phlebotomy is when blood is drawn from the body. Therapeutic phlebotomy is when blood is drawn to treat a disease.

Where the catheter enters your body, it is covered with a bandage (dressing). Only change the dressing if you or a caregiver as been told to do so.

A catheter is a thin, soft tube. It is placed into a vein. The vein is most often in your arm.

Your midline catheter is used to give medicine or fluids. This means that you may need to flush it. This keeps it from getting clogged or blocked.

You are going home with a midline catheter. This small, soft tube has been placed in a vein in your upper arm. It's often used when your healthcare provider wants you to have IV (intravenous) fluids or medicines.

A central line is often used instead of a standard IV line when you need treatment for longer than a week or so. The line can send medicine or nutrition right into your bloodstream.

It's important to take proper care of your central venous access device. Here's how.

TPN fluids are given by IV with a pump. Here are some of the basics you need to know about caring for your IV.

Follow our step-by-step guide to setting up a clean IV worksite.

Learn how to care for your stitches (sutures) when you are at home.

A PICC takes the place of a standard IV (intravenous) line. It is often used when treatment requires you to have medicine or nutrition for weeks or months. Here's what you need to know about getting a PICC.

You are going home with a central line in place. This line carries medicine or nutrition into your body. To keep the line clean and working well, it must be flushed regularly. Here's what you need to know.

You are going home with a central line. This is a tube put in a vein that leads to your heart. It provides medicine during your treatment. Because a central line has a high infection risk, you must take extra care. This sheet will help you remember what to do at home.

Since a central line provides a direct path into your bloodstream, there is a high risk of infection when you change the dressing. Follow these step-by-step instructions to do this safely.

The epinephrine autoinjector is used to give yourself a shot during an emergency allergic reaction. Here's what you need to know.

Step-by-step instructions for giving yourself a subcutaneous injection of medicine.

Injection pens are popular because they are easy to use. Learn how to give yourself medicine using an injection pen.

Follow these helpful reminders on how to give yourself an intramuscular (IM) injection in your upper arm.

Helpful reminders on how to give yourself an intramucsular (IM) injection in the thigh.

Sterile glove technique is a way to protect you from infection when changing a dressing or doing another care task. Here's how to follow this technique at home.

A general guide to TPN, with helpful reminders and tips about what you'll need to do each day.

Using an autoinjector makes it easy to give yourself a shot. It also makes it easy for someone else to give you a shot if you can't.

Learn about central line infections, how hospitals are trying to prevent them, and how to treat an infection if one occurs.

This helpful sheet shows you the steps needed to give your child total parenteral nutrition at home.

Your PICC line is an important part of your healthcare. To care for your PICC line, you will need to flush it. Here are instructions on what to do.

Here are images that show the steps for putting on sterile gloves.

Here are images that show the steps for removing sterile gloves.

You must be very careful to avoid infection when changing the dressing on your PICC line. Follow our step-by-step guide.

When you need an IM injection in your hip, another person must help give you the shot. Read on to learn how this injection is given.

Intramuscular (IM) injections use a needle and syringe to send medicine to large muscles in your body. These injections are usually given in the thigh, hip, or upper arm. This sheet can help you remember the steps involved when you are giving these shots at home.

A PICC line has a high infection risk. So you must take extra care washing your hands and preventing the spread of germs. Here's what you need to know.

Helpful directions and tips for adding medicine to your TPN solution.

When using TPN, it's important to flush your catheter to keep it from clogging. This helpful guide shows you how to do this, and offers tips and reminders.