How long can port-a-cath go without flushing - Page 2

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  1. Jan 25, '12 by
    I'm a student and I have a question - what would you do you if you had a patient like the above that went a year or more without getting the port flushed?

    I know someone said they wouldn't flush it - so what would you do?

    Thanks!
  2. Jan 25, '12 by
    I'd access it and attempt to flush it. We also had someone who hadn't had hers flushed for over a year and it worked like a charm...great blood return.

    Our patients usually get theirs flushed every 4-6 weeks.
  3. Jan 25, '12 by
    Quote from thecooperhouse
    I'm a student and I have a question - what would you do you if you had a patient like the above that went a year or more without getting the port flushed?

    I know someone said they wouldn't flush it - so what would you do?

    Thanks!
    I'd also access it and attempt to flush it, but I'd wonder why this patient still had a port if it hadn't been used in over a year.
  4. Jan 26, '12 by
    Quote from thecooperhouse
    I'm a student and I have a question - what would you do you if you had a patient like the above that went a year or more without getting the port flushed?

    I know someone said they wouldn't flush it - so what would you do?

    Thanks!
    Well, I still would NOT flush it, but rather I'd aspirate first and if I could pull off 7cc or so of blood discard then I'd be okay with flushing. No blood return = No flush. And I'd watch the patient for s/s of the "septic storm".
    snickers21 likes this.
  5. Jan 29, '12 by
    Depending on the dx., some onc. recommend keeping the port in for a while after treatment is finished if there's a high likelihood of recurrence.