Port A Cath access change frequency

Specialties Infusion

Updated:   Published

I am looking for a best practice or industry standard on how often a huber needle should be changed for a port that needs to remain accessed. We currently do dressing changes every 7 days and prn. Is it best practice to change the huber needle at the same time?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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thread moved for best response

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OP, yes, the Huber needle should be changed every 7 days unless there is something wrong with the needle/tubing etc, in which case it should be changed upon discovery of the problem. Changing a Huber needle more frequently can lead to skin breakdown at the port site and increase a patient's risk for infection.

There are several sources online that Google will readily bring up if you need evidence for a policy.

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We changed every 7 days with the dressung

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Infusion Nurses Society Standards of Practice 2011

Standard 39 Implanted Vascular Access Ports

F. When using an implanted vascular access port for continous infusions, there is insifficient evidence to support the optimum time for replacement of the noncoring needle; the most common practice is to replace the needle every 7 days.

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