Placing central line in the groin for an advanced dementia loved one, does this procedure hurt?
Is the placement of central line a painful procedure, especially if it is placed in the groin? Can it be traumatizing? Do You have any personal experiences with that?
Alicja, please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your dad. I hope you saw AlvaDeer’s two responses to your post— she is a retired registered nurse with many years of experience.
I totally understand being traumatized by the circumstances of a frail parent’s last days. It is so hard. You might find it helpful to attend a grief support group in your area. I hope you are comforted by happy memories of your beloved father and of the love you shared.
AlicjaKarolina1, So sorry for the loss of your loved one. I am glad to hear Alva Deer say that the central line was a good thing for giving antibiotics. I understand your sorrow. I hope that as time passes you will have happy memories of your loved one.
As some major test or procedure is planned here, I am quite sad that no one has spoken to you and explained this, or that you have not asked medical team?
It is minimally painful. As Pixie says below, think BIG IV in rather sensitive spot. Usually a local numbing agent used. Why is this being done in an elderly person. First of all it is a needle stick. Once the catheter is in, then it is strung up through the veins without pain.
This is only done for certain procedures. Can you tell us what procedure is being done on this very elderly person?
It was placed when my father was admitted to hospital due to pneumonia. His veins were weak so the doctor decided to place central line. It was my mum who gave permission (I wasn't there). When I visited dad I just saw the line and it haunts me till today although my dad died. I am writing from Poland and here no doctor explains anything to the family members. I wasn't given a choice by the doctors and no one explained me anything. I regret that the doctors didn't let my father die in hospital providing him with comfort measures only. But I know this now after educating myself extensively. Now I have flashbacks in regard to this procedure- I imagine he was in great pain when they were placing the line and whenever I think about it I cannot stop crying. That's why I decided to ask if the placement hurts. It was done under local anaesthesia but I imagine that groin is quite sensitive area. After they discharged dad from hospital I asked them to remove the central line.
Bulldog, I am also wondering why this would be done in a person with advanced dementia. Maybe the PO and family don't realize that people don't die from dementia itself. They die from complications from dementia.
former ICU nurse here: it’s not a terribly painful procedure—like a big IV start. The groin has a higher risk of infection than the upper neck/chest area.
Thank You for Your reply. It was very hard for me to watch this central line placed and I imagined that placing it was a torture. Actually until this day it gives me flashbacks.
6 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
I totally understand being traumatized by the circumstances of a frail parent’s last days. It is so hard. You might find it helpful to attend a grief support group in your area. I hope you are comforted by happy memories of your beloved father and of the love you shared.
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. I am glad to hear Alva Deer say that the central line was a good thing for giving antibiotics.
I understand your sorrow. I hope that as time passes you will have happy memories of your loved one.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is minimally painful. As Pixie says below, think BIG IV in rather sensitive spot. Usually a local numbing agent used.
Why is this being done in an elderly person.
First of all it is a needle stick. Once the catheter is in, then it is strung up through the veins without pain.
This is only done for certain procedures.
Can you tell us what procedure is being done on this very elderly person?
Maybe the PO and family don't realize that people don't die from dementia itself. They die from complications from dementia.