Flushing a Port a Cath

Normal saline is used to flush fluids through, a heparinized saline solution is used to maintain patency while maintaining access or to discontinue access. Usually, a Port-A-Cath is flushed with 10mL of normal saline and locked with 2.5mL normal saline mixed with 2.5mL of heparin 100 units/mL for a 5m total volume.

Instructions

Demonstration Videos

For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.
For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.
For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.
For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.

Using a Huber Needle

For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.

How to manage dressing change & flush port-a-cath

Managing the dressing change and flushing of a Port-a-Cath involves several important steps to maintain sterility and prevent infection. Here’s a detailed guide:

Dressing Change for a Port-a-Cath

Supplies Needed:

  • Sterile gloves
  • Non-sterile gloves
  • Mask
  • Chlorhexidine wipes or swabs
  • Sterile transparent dressing (e.g., Tegaderm)
  • Sterile gauze
  • Adhesive remover (if needed)
  • Trash bag

Steps:

  1. Prepare:
    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
    • Gather all necessary supplies.
    • Put on a mask to prevent contamination.
  2. Remove the Old Dressing:
    • Put on non-sterile gloves.
    • Carefully peel off the old dressing. Use adhesive remover if needed to avoid skin irritation.
    • Dispose of the old dressing in a trash bag.
  3. Inspect the Site:
    • Check the port site for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. If any signs are present, contact a healthcare professional before proceeding.
  4. Clean the Area:
    • Remove non-sterile gloves and wash your hands again.
    • Put on sterile gloves.
    • Use a chlorhexidine wipe or swab to clean the area around the port site. Start at the insertion site and move outward in a circular motion. Allow it to air dry completely.
  5. Apply the New Dressing:
    • Place sterile gauze over the port site if needed.
    • Apply a sterile transparent dressing (e.g., Tegaderm) over the port site, ensuring it is secure and covers the area completely.

Flushing a Port-a-Cath

Supplies Needed:

  • Sterile gloves
  • Mask
  • 10 mL sterile saline syringes (pre-filled)
  • Heparin flush (if prescribed)
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Non-coring Huber needle (if accessing the port)
  • Trash bag

Steps:

  1. Prepare:
    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
    • Gather all necessary supplies.
    • Put on a mask to prevent contamination.
  2. Access the Port:
    • Put on sterile gloves.
    • Clean the port access site with an alcohol swab, using a circular motion and allowing it to air dry.
    • If the port is not already accessed, use a non-coring Huber needle to access the port. Insert the needle into the port until you feel it “click” into place.
  3. Flush the Port:
    • Attach a pre-filled saline syringe to the needle or the accessed port.
    • Pull back on the plunger slightly to check for blood return, indicating proper placement.
    • If blood return is observed, slowly flush the port with 10 mL of saline.
    • If no blood return is observed, do not proceed and contact a healthcare professional.
  4. Heparin Flush (if prescribed):
    • If a heparin flush is prescribed, follow the saline flush with the prescribed amount of heparin solution to prevent clotting.
  5. Complete the Procedure:
    • Remove the syringe and needle, if applicable.
    • Dispose of used supplies in a trash bag or a sharps container, as appropriate.
    • Apply a sterile bandage or dressing over the access site if the needle was removed.

Additional Tips

  • Frequency: Dressing changes are typically done once a week or if the dressing becomes loose, wet, or dirty. Flushing is usually done every 4-6 weeks or as directed by a healthcare provider.
  • Sterility: Maintaining a sterile environment is crucial to prevent infections.
  • Monitoring: Always monitor for signs of infection or complications and report them to a healthcare provider immediately.
  • Training: Ensure you are properly trained by a healthcare professional before performing these procedures at home.

By following these steps, you can manage the dressing changes and flushing of a Port-a-Cath effectively and safely.

Guidelines, Specifications & User Manuals

Accessing Port-a-Cath Reference Guide

PORT A CATH ACCESS & DEACCESS

Evidence-Based Standards Guide the Use and Maintenance of Venous Implanted Ports

Children’s Protocols Port-a-cath

Helpful Information

How long can you leave a Huber needle in a port?
Although usage of Huber needles for central venous catheters was limited to between 48 and 72 hours, needles were not removed unless there were signs of inflammatory reaction. The needles remained in place for 28 days (1-49 days) on average.

Port needles: do they need to be removed as frequently in infusional …
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pubmed

How long can a port a cath stay in?
two to six years

Most patients are sore for four to seven days following surgery and it is best to wait five to seven days before accessing the new port. 6. How long will a Port-a-Cath last? Most surgeons say most ports will last anywhere from two to six years.

Port A Cath Fact Sheet – National MPS Society
mpssociety.org › wp-content › uploads › 2011/07 › Port-a-Cath__8-06

How can you tell if your port is infected?

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Infection
The first, pocket infection, can be diagnosed by erythema, a rash caused by infection; tenderness, pain when pressure is applied to the chest port site; induration, localized hardening at the chest port site; and purulence, pus, at the chest port site.May 12, 2017

How often do you flush a port with heparin?

Flush your port with heparin (a blood thinner) between each port use. Your port also needs to be flushed with heparin every 4 weeks when it is not being used regularly. You will use a syringe to push a small amount of saline or heparin into the port and catheter.Feb 3, 2020

Can you shower with a port?

The bandage must be kept dry until the incision is completely healed. This usually takes 5 to 7 days. You can not take a shower during this time. You can usually take a bath if the port is in your chest, but you have to keep the bandage dry.

Is accessing a port a sterile procedure?
Ports should be accessed using sterile procedure. When being handled for treatment, the end of the line outside of the body needs to be cleaned according to hospital policy with each use. Additionally, always wash hands before touching the catheter tip.Mar 12, 2018

How do you draw blood from Port?
Here’s how:
Flush the catheter.
Using the same syringe, pull to aspirate 6 ml of blood into the syringe. …
Repeat the aspiration and reinfusion at least three times.
Remove and discard the used syringe and attach a new syringe to draw the sample for the lab.

Do you always get blood return when flushing a port?

There is a reason that the port lacks a blood return, and unless a blood return is obtained—or a dye study verifies correct placement and patency of the device—it should not be used for chemotherapy administration.Oct 12, 2011

How is a port flushed?

Normal saline is used to flush fluids through, a heparinized saline solution is used to maintain patency while maintaining access or to discontinue access. Usually, a Port-A-Cath is flushed with 10mL of normal saline and locked with 2.5mL normal saline mixed with 2.5mL of heparin 100 units/mL for a 5m total volume.

Can blood be drawn from a Portacath?
1. Not all patients who have implanted ports require blood draws from their ports. … Although bloods can be drawn via an implanted port, there may be times when: i. a peripheral blood draw is required (e.g. certain labs, such as PTTs) ii.

How do you care for a port?

Caring for Your Port
Keep the port incision covered with a clean and dry bandage. …
Change the dressing over the sutures every three days or more often if soiled or wet.
Cover your dressing when showering with a heavy duty type baggie taped over the dressing.

Related Devices

Patient Learning Center