It is essential that you properly care for and clean your Hickman® line. Developing an infection can be very serious. Here are some guidelines for you and your caregiver:
Make sure that you or your caregiver is able to care for the Hickman® line properly. If you don't know how, ask a nurse to teach you.
Always wash your hands before doing any line care.
Clean the skin around the line, change the dressing and flush the line as you were shown in the hospital.
If using a cloth dressing, it must be changed at the least every two days. If the dressing gets damp, it must be changed immediately.
Do not go swimming or use hot tubs while you have a Hickman® line.
