HIV/AIDS nursing program Royal District Nursing Service Melbourne

Palliative care of clients with HIV disease can, at times, present the health care professional with many challenges. One such challenge for the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Melbourne, HIV/AIDS Nursing Program has chosen to deal with is the home administration of the anti-viral drug Ganciclovir, also referred to as DHPG, via a subcutaneous central venous device. This poster presentation will illustrate how nurses are taught by the HIV/AIDS Nurse Consultants the safe administration of this drug in the home setting. Nursing care of a client receiving Ganciclovir therapy will include:

1. Infection control precautions.
2. Proficient technique of accessing the central venous device.
3. Safe handling of cytotoxic materials.
4. Client and carer education.
5. Recognition and resolution of complications.

    

Ganciclovir therapy must be offered to clients with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the Herpesviridae family. Untreated CMV Retinitis is almost always progressive, is frequently bilateral and often leads to blindness. This program offers clients an alternative to attending hospital day care facilities and allows RDNS nurses to take into account the client's lifestyle, needs and differences, ensuring a more holistic approach to planning quality palliative care in the home setting.