accessing implanted ports

[Sarah Breier]

Is any one aware of policies recommending a once per week reneedle to implanted ports? I am trying to justify reneedling a port once a week for an elderly long term home parenteral nutrition patient, instead of a twice a week approach. Any comments would be appreciated.

[jbucklin]

The intravenous nurses society publishes IV nursing standards of practice. They recommend changing access devices used with implanted ports at least every 7 days. This particular standard can be found at this site http://www.ins1.org/st_st75.htm . Thier home page is www.ins.org. Hope this helps.

[dauschundlover]

The INS standards are a good resource for any IV related questions. In all my years of working with ports the policy has always been huber change every 7 days no exceptions unless of course you suspect the huber has been dislodged but even then you don't need to change the needle to prove proper access of the port.