How to Infuse Factor
Procedure/Treatment/Home Care
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
#544
Name of Child: ______________________________ Date: _________________
How to Infuse Factor
Factor is given to improve clotting in people with hemophilia. The way we put factor
into a vein is called infusion. This is often done in a treatment center or emergency
room, through a central line such as a port-a-cath. It is also possible to learn to infuse
factor at home through a vein in the arm, hand, or foot. This is called peripheral
venous access.
The parent or the patient can learn to infuse factor. Since you are not using a central
line, there is less chance of infection and side effects. A patient who is comfortable
infusing factor may self-infuse himself when he is ready.
Ready for home infusion?
Think about these things first:
• Are the child’s veins ready for home infusion?
• Can the child sit still long enough to be infused? If not, is there someone who can help?
• Does the patient want to do more self-care?
• Who wants to learn how to infuse factor? A parent? The patient? The person who does the infusion needs to understand when to do it, the factor type, dose, learn how to do it, and keep the equipment clean.
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What you need
p Factor
p Diluent
p Syringe
p Butterfly needle
p Alcohol wipe or ChloraPrep
p Tourniquet
p Gauze, Coban, or a Band-Aid
p Milk jug, coffee can or plastic soap bottle with lid, so you can throw out the syringe and needle safely.
p Hemophilia Treatment Log and pen or pencil
p Numbing cream (Emla) – if you want
What to do
1. If using a cream to numb the skin, put it on
an hour before infusing factor. Wipe off the
skin before you start the infusion.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Clean your work area with bleach or a
disinfectant.
Wash your hands with
soap and water.
4. A young child who gets an infusion should sit in a
chair or an adult’s lap with the arm on a table or on top
of a pillow. A person self-infusing can sit at a table with
the supplies in reach, and place an arm on the table.
5. Open an alcohol wipe or ChloraPrep and cleaning the
tops of the bottles of factor and dilutent.
6. Use the transfer device to mix the factor.
7. Connect the syringe to the transfer device, keeping it
clean.
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Clean the bottle tops
with alcohol.
8. Draw factor into the syringe.
9. If there is a needle on the syringe, remove it. Connect the butterfly needle to the
syringe.
10. Tie the tourniquet above the vein you want to use, snug but not too tight.
11. Choose a straight vein you will use. Use a different vein
each time. Feel the vein. It should be feel spongy. To help
it pop up, tap on it, put a warm pack on it, or close and
open the fist.
12. Clean the skin at that spot with an alcohol wipe or
ChloraPrep. Let it dry.
13. Take the cap off the butterfly needle.
Clean the skin at that
spot with an alcohol
wipe or ChloraPrep.
Let it dry.
14. Point the needle toward the body with the
bevel up and put it into the vein.
15. When you see blood in the tubing of the
butterfly, pull back the syringe plunger so the
blood flows into the syringe.
16. Untie the tourniquet. Slowly push the factor
into the vein. It should not be painful and there
should me no bubbling where the needle goes in.
Point the needle toward the body
with the bevel up
and put it into the vein.
17. When all the factor is infused, put gauze
over the site and take out the butterfly needle.
Press the gauze on the site for 5 minutes. If
you want, wrap it with Coban or put a BandAid on the site.
18. Throw out the needle and syringe in the
milk jug, coffee can or plastic soap bottle with
lid.
Slowly push the factor into the vein.
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19. If you have just given the infusion to a child, thank the child for helping.
20. Write on the Hemophilia Treatment Log the date you infused, the reason you
infused, and the lot number of the factor you used. This information will help your
health care team make sure the treatment plan works and bleeding is managed well.
21. Watch the site for bleeding.
Keep all medicines and supplies out of reach of children
Now that you’ve read this:
p Tell your nurse or doctor the factor dose, what kind of factor, and when you would
infuse factor. (Check when done.)
p Show your nurse or doctor how you would infuse factor. (Check when done.)
If you want to learn more
The Hemophilia Handbook by Hemophilia of Georgia (2007)
www.hog.org/handbook/page/how-to-use-the-hemophilia-von-willebrand-diseaseplatelet-disorder-handbook
Infusion Time 2 by Diane Horbacz, published by Accredo Health Care Group (2006)
To order a copy of Infusion Time, e-mail [email protected]
Basic Concepts of Hemophilia: A self-study and planning workbook for families
with a new diagnosis of hemophilia by Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(2007)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/documents/ProviderGuide.pdf
Hemophilia Association, Inc.
826 N 5th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-955-3947 or 888-754-7017
www.hemophiliaz.org
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National Hemophilia Foundation
116 W. 32nd Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
www.hemophilia.org
World Federation of Hemophilia
www.wfh.org
If you have any questions or concerns,
p call Pediatric Hemophilia Program at 602-933-0920 or
p call ______________________
If you want to know more about child health and illness,
visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-933-1400
866-933-6459
www.phoenixchildrens.org
www.theemilycenter.org
Facebook: facebook.com/theemilycenter
Twitter: @emilycenter
Pinterest: pinterest.com/emilycenter
Disclaimer
The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is
not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children’s Hospital urges
you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
Friday, December 11, 2015 • DRAFT to family review
#544 • Written by Rebecca Garcia, BSN, RN
• Illustrated by Dennis Swain, Christine Remmel, and Irene Takamizu
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How to Infuse Factor
Procedure/Treatment/Home Care
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
Name of Health Care Provider: _______________________________ Number: 544
For office use: Date returned: ____________ p db
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Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor
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The Emily Center
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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Thank you for helping us!
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