Download Starting FRAGMIN (HEPARIN) Treatment

How can I help reduce healthcare associated
infections?
Infection control is important to the well-being of our patients
and for that reason we have infection control procedures in
place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of
preventing the spread of infections. We ask that you, and
anyone visiting you, use the hand rub (special gel) available
at the main entrance of the hospital and at the entrance to
every ward before coming in to and after leaving the ward or
hospital. In some situations hands may need to be washed
at the sink using soap and water rather than using the hand
rub. Staff will let you know if this is the case.
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Haematology Department
Author:
Issue date:
September 2011
Reviewed:
February 2014
Review date: February 2016
Leaflet code: CISS-83
Version: 3
Starting
FRAGMIN (HEPARIN)
Treatment
Patient Information Sheet
The problems of swelling and pain may be due to a clot
in the large vein in your leg (deep vein thrombosis or
DVT). This can only be confirmed by a special scan in
X-ray, an ultrasound, which will be arranged as soon as
possible in the next two days. Sometimes is may be
possible to have a blood test to exclude the diagnosis.
To prevent a possible clot progressing you will be
prescribed the blood-thinning drug, Heparin (Fragmin).
This is given as an injection under the skin on a daily
basis. The first injection may be given in the Accident and
Emergency/Medical Assessment Unit or the DVT clinic.
The ultrasound can usually be arranged within 24 hours. A
second injection may be given due to a delay in the
ultrasound and you will be advised where to report for this.
The DVT assessment clinic (Monday-Friday), will arrange
the scan if it was not possible to arrange this out of normal
working hours.
If the x-ray confirms a clot - following an assessment by
a doctor, the appropriate anti clotting medication will be
prescribed and an appointment will then be made for you
to attend the Haematology Department in the Cancer Care
and Haematology Unit as soon as possible. The clinic will
give you further information about DVT and the bloodthinning drug, Warfarin that will follow the Heparin
treatment. You will also be given the prescription card.
If you have a problem – It has been shown that
treatment at home for DVT is as safe as treatment given
in a hospital.
Although side effects are very rare, they can happen
wherever the treatment is given. If the following
symptoms occur you should report to the Emergency
Assessment Unit bringing your prescription card with
you:
• Unexpected bleeding – not bruising or small nose
bleeds.
• Breathlessness, chest pain or dizziness.
How to contact the clinic:
DVT Assessment Clinic on:
01296 315516
Emergency Assessment Unit on:
Out of hours on:
01296 316505
01296 316506