Catholic University Catholic Hematology Hospital

Handwashing

• As many germs live on our hands, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly, especially before meals, after going out, and after using the restroom. When washing your hands, use running water and soap, and make sure to clean between your fingers, under your nails, and the tips of your fingers particularly well.

Oral care

• To avoid injuring your mouth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth. Brush your teeth four times a day - after each meal and before going to bed. After using, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under running water and ensure it's completely dry before using it again.

Shower

• Normal flora live on our skin and can cause infections when immunity is compromised. Therefore, shower every 2-4 days. Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard, especially in areas where wrinkles form such as the armpits, the groin, and behind the knees.

Rectal care

• If you have wounds such as hemorrhoids, taking a sitz bath can be beneficial.

Hand and foot care

• Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed, but not too short, to avoid injuring your skin. Make sure to wear shoes and socks to prevent wounds.

Shaving

• To prevent injuries while shaving, consider using an electric razor.

Skin care

• Avoid popping pimples or blisters on your skin with your hands to prevent inflammation and potential infection.

Avoid contact with infectious diseases

• Avoid contact with individuals who have a cold or contagious disease to prevent infection.

Consulting with one's doctor

• Discuss any vaccinations or dental treatments with your primary care physician before proceeding.

Cleaning things up

• It's advisable to remove items that may harbor infection risks (such as curtains, carpets, potted plants, and pets).

Mucous membranes of the nose and ears

• Avoid frequently touching or picking your nose and ears.

Required Materials

• Two single-use disinfectant swabs (Hexicol), one Opsite (or one Medress, if a non-woven fabric is preferred).

Guidelines

• 1.

  Clean hands thoroughly before disinfection.

• 2.

  Slowly remove the attached Medress or Opsite (or Tegaderm), being careful not to pull on the catheter. Check the insertion site for any abnormalities (redness, pus or bleeding, pain).

• 3.

  Using a Hexicol stick, disinfect by drawing circles from the center outwards for at least 10 seconds, repeating this at least three times (one stick per 10 seconds).

  • Avoid re-wiping areas already cleaned, and clean a diameter of 10cm. Do not re-dip or reuse a swab once used, and do not use it if it has fallen or touched clothing.
• 4.

  Once the disinfectant is completely dry, attach the Opsite (or Tegaderm) or Medress.

  • Suture removal after catheter removal: Visit the injection room of the hematology hospital one week to ten days after catheter removal to remove the 'suture'.
  • Until the Hickman catheter is removed, please have the Hickman catheter disinfected and the heparin solution exchanged and injected in the injection room of the hematology hospital when you visit the outpatient clinic (once a week or once every two weeks).

Guidelines

• 1.

  An implanted port is inserted under the skin and does not have an exposed area outside the skin, so no separate disinfection is needed.

• 2.

  If you have an implanted port, heparin solution should be injected if the port is not used for more than 4 weeks to prevent blockages. Please visit the injection room of the hematology hospital to have the heparin solution exchanged and injected at intervals of 4 weeks when you visit the outpatient clinic.

  • Suture removal after port removal: Visit the injection room of the hematology hospital one week to ten days after port removal to remove the 'suture'.