"Canula poorly fitted"

Dear Uninformed

Thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that there was a problem with your mother’s cannula and that she is still struggling with a sore swollen arm. I would suggest that your mother contacts her GP for advice about her sore swollen arm.

I will contact the Cardiac Service to answer your questions about the cannula and how long it takes to recover.

I will be in touch as soon as I can.

Kind Regards

Nicole

Dear Uninformed

I am very sorry for the pain and discomfort the cannula insertion has caused your mother and the anxiety it must have caused you both.

Unfortunately with the detail provided, my staff have been unable to investigate the understandable concerns you raise specific to your mother's case, however I hope you will accept the following general explanation.

Cannula insertion is something that is a very common procedure for many investigations and treatments. The vast majority of the time these can be inserted, used and removed with no problems. In some instances there can be some complications such as abnormal pain, bleeding, infection and tissue irritation when the cannula does not sit correctly within the vein walls.

In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as a strategy to reduce the risk of complications of cannula insertion (or ensure early identification when these do occur), we require staff to complete a quality assurance tool called a "PVC Care bundle" for every cannula inserted.

If a cannula has been incorrectly positioned, then very often on the first administration of a medicine or intravenous fluid, there can be a sudden pain which alerts the clinician to the fact that a renewal is required. From the detail you have provided I am afraid at present unable to determine whether this is what happened in your mother's case, but if you are happy to send me more details, my staff can conduct a more thorough review and perhaps better answer your questions. Please contact Nicole on Nicole.McInally@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

With regard to your question about how long it will take for your mother's arm to recover, again, without full details I am afraid we are unable to provide any guidance around this. However, if your mother’s symptoms continue she should contact her GP for advice.

Kind Regards

Russell Coulthard

General Manager – Medicine

North Glasgow