Accessing/deaccessing ports

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, ED.

Calling all you experts!

I am on a floor with many oncology patients. Many have ports. My problem is, is there a trick to de-accessing them? It seems that all 4 times I have de-accessed them, I have been way too close to needing to go to the ED for needle-sticks. Is there a trick to it that anyone can share. Its like there is a re-coil (for lack of a better word) and as I am taking the needle out I am very fearful that it is going to a) stick me or b) stick the patient.

Anyone?

Thanks

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You should have access to safety needles!!! Is your hospital JCAHO compliant? Our needles automatically retract when you pull them out. My best advice to you is to just tell the patients to stay as still as possible and go straight to the sharps.

-Julie in NYC

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, ED.

Maybe I should clarify, I am speaking of Huber needles. Do they make safety ones? Sorry, I am a new grad so this may be a really silly question.

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yes, there are safety hubers, my facility is just looking into them so can't give any hints. Just google and you should get company sites up.

What I've taught people to do is think "reverse karate"! Hold site firmly and pull up firmly with other hand ( this is where the karate...Ah-yah sound and follow-thru motion comes in!) I expect the needle to be about a foot above the pt where it won't hit nurse or pt, easy to assess that it came out intact.

No *****-footing around! Hope that helps until your facility gets safety hubers....push for them, occupational health should get involved if the powers that be are stalling.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, ED.

Thanks for the hint!!!

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You can also use 2 tongue blades to hold implanted port in place so your fingers are not in the way if the huber needle does recoil when being de-accessed. The best solution would be to use safety hubers.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
You can also use 2 tongue blades to hold implanted port in place so your fingers are not in the way if the huber needle does recoil when being de-accessed. The best solution would be to use safety hubers.

This seems rather awkward to me. I was reading that you can put your fingers in a red top tube before doning gloves to avoid a rebound stick. I thought this might be a good idea. Anyone try it?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

surecan® safety huber needle features:

  • passive design - no user activation needed
  • enables you to inject medication or withdraw blood from the y-site with a simple luer connection when using available ultrasite® needle-free valve
  • dehp-free for compatibility with chemo drugs and lipids
  • latex-free to avoid the risk of allergic reaction
  • conveniently color-coded by size (19, 20, and 22 gauge)

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Our needles have little wings on them to grab when you pull it out of the port. There is a safety on it that covers the needle when you pull but it never works because the tape and dressing is always attached and doesnt allow the safety to work properly. I just make sure that there is a needle box nearby... havent been stuck once.

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My preceptor gave me some good advice...we do have safety Hubers but again, the tape always messes up the device. What she told me to do was just to anticipate the rebound you'd feel once the needle came out...you know you're going to have to pull -hard- (those ports hang on to those needles!) and then there will come a moment when it springs free...she taught me to pull with steady, firm, controlled pressure. So far it's worked really well.

Also, she told me to keep pulling after I think I'm done...kind of like the karate thing. Pretend the needle is 5 inches long, and just keep pulling it out before you relax that hand.

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