[iluvoncology]

Help. I am a pediatric oncology nurse. I have a patient who keeps deaccessing his mediport. we have tried covering with tegaderm, wrapping his chest with coban, putting him in an outfit to keep it out of site out of mind, but nothing is working. He is only a year and doesn't understand. His mother is great at watching him, but if he is not pulling it himself, he sometines gets twisted in the IV tubing until it is pulled out. Does anyone know any tricks or devices?

[iluvivt]

This may sound a little crazy but considering you have already tried a lot of things this is what I would try next. I would get the smallest available piece of that temporary gladware (large enough to cover the access huber needle and not touch it though..also must be clear ) I would then modify it if needed and then cover the entire site and tape it on with clear tape. You must still be able to visualize the site...that is imperative. Make sure the tension is on the IV tubing and not on the Huber (non-coring) needle and swing it uo over the shoulder away from those little hands. When he grasps at the port all he will get is the plastic.also make sure all edges are soft or padded to avoid skin breakdown. This is my own variation of the IV house. There are manufactured products you can buy like this but none that would easily cover a port and provide adequate visualization

[iluvoncology]

Thanks so much for your response. I am willing to try anything at this point. He de-accesses his port sometimes twice a day! My only concern is that his chemo sometimes runs for 96 hours and he likes to sleep on his stomach, I am not sure how comfortable this would be.

[iluvivt]

Trim it so it has a low profile and pad it with 2x2 or 4x4 or some foam type tape.

[iluvoncology]

Unfortunatley we had to have mediport removed (infection). Have you ever seen a hickman placed on the back. A nurse told me she saw a patient with one about 15 years ago and none since. Maybe we can convince the surgeon to try it. That would hopefully solve some of the problems. If not we will end up with another mediport in a week or so and then I can try the IV house. I showed it to mom, she was willing to try it!

[iluvivt]

They can direct the tunnel of the hickman or broviac or groshong to exit anywhere on the chest. They do not want to make the tunnel excessively long though.