Luwero district health officer Dr Innocent Nkonwa has advised health workers to stop discharging patients with intravenous (IV) cannulas still inserted in their hands, describing the practice as unethical and unacceptable.Nkonwa said patients should not leave health facilities with cannulas in place after receiving treatment, warning that the practice exposes them to unnecessary health risks.An IV cannula is a small, flexible tube inserted into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, to administer medicines, fluids or blood products directly into the bloodstream. The needle used to insert it is removed, leaving the tube in the vein for the duration of treatment.According to Nkonwa, cannulas are primarily intended for patients admitted to health facilities who require intravenous treatment and should be removed once treatment is completed and before the patient is discharged.He said some health workers had increasingly developed a practice of sending patients home with cannulas still inserted, forcing them to move around with the tubes attached to their hands.Dr Nkonwa warning medicsNkonwa warned that this can expose patients to infections and other complications. He said movement and friction around the cannula site can cause irritation, pain, swelling and inflammation, while a dislodged cannula can cause bleeding or damage to surrounding tissue.He also warned of the possibility of serious infections if the cannula site is not properly managed, including infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart that can be difficult to treat.Nkonwa urged health workers to use alternative methods of administering medication for patients who do not require admission but need continued treatment.He said inability to remain admitted should not be used as a reason to allow a patient to leave with a cannula still inserted.“This practice is unethical and unacceptable,” Nkonwa said, warning that health workers who discharge patients with cannulas would be held personally accountable.He urged health workers to follow established medical procedures and prioritise patient safety when discharging patients.Cost of admissionHowever, some residents said financial constraints contribute to the practice, with patients sometimes preferring to return home rather than incur additional costs associated with admission and continued monitoring.Rose Namujju, a resident of Luwero town, said some patients deliberately choose to go home with cannulas in place after receiving treatment because they cannot afford to remain at health facilities.Namujju said patients with conditions that are not considered critical may prefer to receive medication and return home rather than spend additional time and money on admission.She, however, acknowledged that moving around with a cannula carries risks, particularly when patients are not properly monitored.The post Stop discharging patients with cannulas, medics told appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.