CT tech accessing ports

Are they technologists and what state or where are you? In Califirnia this is not allowed as it is not within their scope of practice and then it would be considered practice nursing or medicine without a license. Accessing a port is not just sticking a needle in.It requires an assessment.This includes knowing how long the port has been in place and for what reason, has the pt had any problems with it, what kind of port is it and is it capable of power injection, does it have a brisk blood return, are there any current complications such as thrombosis, infection, PWO, or other type of occlusions. Again where are you and what type of license or certification do the techs hold?

Sorry about typos. ..can't correct from my phone

I'm in Arizona. I don't know their exact credentials which I should figure that out. I completely agree with you about it not just being about sticking someone with a needle. It'd be like me (rn) trying to scan their patients, that's not in my scope so I don't understand why they are thinking its in theirs to access ports???

Never heard of this. They can push contrast through an already accessed port but cannot access it. The kids I see go to the Oncology clinic to get their ports accessed before they go for scans.

I frankly don't see what the big deal is as long as they are properly given competency with documentation thereof.

Simply can't imagine anyone other than an RN accessing a port.

I frankly don't see what the big deal is as long as they are properly given competency with documentation thereof.

Increased risk for infection is a big deal. Any medical staff accessing port must have the proper training. In my clinic only trained RNs are allowed to access ports and we must use a sterile technique. I always teach my patients what a sterile technique is and to always request it be done anytime, anywhere that their port is being accessed.

I frankly don't see what the big deal is as long as they are properly given competency with documentation thereof.

While part of me wants to agree with you on this one, the other part of me thinks of the slippery slope that of "medication aides" or even CNA's reminding Pt's when to take their meds in assisted living, etc. Just because med techs/CNA's may get extra training aka pass some silly test, doesn't mean the state should let them pass meds ever and in any state!

I also wanted to throw out there that just because I'm a nurse doesn't mean I think I can just access a port either. I think a nurse should be required to have hands on training with another nurse that knows what the heck they're doing before ever accessing a port on their own.

I'm familiar with it but not enough so that I would just brush up on it by reading my hospitals protocol and trying it by myself for the first time. I have seen too many ports become infected and need to be removed and remember one Pt that had their arm/body infiltrate with fluid after a nurse just winged it one night...I'm guessing they didn't check placement and draw back blood before hooking up the IVF and running it. It wasn't caught until the Pt was transferred to another floor during the same shift hours later!

Are they technologists and what state or where are you? In Califirnia this is not allowed as it is not within their scope of practice and then it would be considered practice nursing or medicine without a license.

Practicing medicine without a license?

While part of me wants to agree with you on this one, the other part of me thinks of the slippery slope that of "medication aides" or even CNA's reminding Pt's when to take their meds in assisted living, etc. Just because med techs/CNA's may get extra training aka pass some silly test, doesn't mean the state should let them pass meds ever and in any state!

I:barf02:

CNAs? No.

These technologist (X-ray technicians, CT Technologists, Nuclear Med Technologists etc) deal with RADIOACTIVE MACHINES and RADIOACTIVE DRUGs. Do you really think they are just willy nilly people off the street with a few hours of training?

Increased risk for infection is a big deal. Any medical staff accessing port must have the proper training. In my clinic only trained RNs are allowed to access ports and we must use a sterile technique. I always teach my patients what a sterile technique is and to always request it be done anytime, anywhere that their port is being accessed.

Wouldn't you think a professional who handles RADIOACTIVE DRUGS knows a thing or two about contamination?

Their scope of practice is pretty extensive even in California. Their scope can be limited or extended accordingly by their medical director and employer.

If you want to talk California, check out their education at Loma Linda.

Radiation Technology | LLU School of Allied Health Professions

Their education can also be anywhere from just an Associates degree just like an RN up to a Masters degree. They also have a wide range of specialty certs and licenses.

The OP is very, very vague. For all we know the OP could be questioning an Advanced Interventional Radiology or Nuclear Medical Technologist.

Get to know the other professionals you work with. Just ask them instead of stirring up a mess of guessing mixed with egos on forums or FB.

Increased risk for infection is a big deal. Any medical staff accessing port must have the proper training. In my clinic only trained RNs are allowed to access ports and we must use a sterile technique. I always teach my patients what a sterile technique is and to always request it be done anytime, anywhere that their port is being accessed.

Maybe you missed the part about documented competency.

While part of me wants to agree with you on this one, the other part of me thinks of the slippery slope that of "medication aides" or even CNA's reminding Pt's when to take their meds in assisted living, etc. Just because med techs/CNA's may get extra training aka pass some silly test, doesn't mean the state should let them pass meds ever and in any state!

I also wanted to throw out there that just because I'm a nurse doesn't mean I think I can just access a port either. I think a nurse should be required to have hands on training with another nurse that knows what the heck they're doing before ever accessing a port on their own.

I'm familiar with it but not enough so that I would just brush up on it by reading my hospitals protocol and trying it by myself for the first time. I have seen too many ports become infected and need to be removed and remember one Pt that had their arm/body infiltrate with fluid after a nurse just winged it one night...I'm guessing they didn't check placement and draw back blood before hooking up the IVF and running it. It wasn't caught until the Pt was transferred to another floor during the same shift hours later!

I just don't think port access is that difficult that it requires only an RN to do it. Again- proper training and demonstrated competency should be obtained.

So does anyone know of or heard of ct,mri, or nm techs accessing ports?? I've never seen this in my experience but at an imaging center I work at they are discussing training a few of their techs to access ports. I know they can use them once accessed but I don't feel comfortable having them actually accessing it. I feel like they are working out of their scope doing this. But maybe I'm wrong and this is a new thing I have not seen yet.. hopefully not though...

The last Infusion Nursing Society (INS) standards released in 2011 (With a new one being released any day now!) reviews that the decision to allow each type of personnel to be involved with IV therapy activities is based on their knowledge base and applicable laws in that state. So... A Nursing Assistive Personnel (NAP) should NOT have the responsibility to perform IV therapy procedures such as insertion of an IV catheter, (including the needle insertion into an implanted port) catheter manitenance procedures or administering ordered meds/fluids into the IV catheter.

A Medical Assistant (MA) however, functions to assist MD's and though their usual ppractice setting is MD's offices, they may actively participate in IVT activities, but should have a designated IV course to assist in assuring optimal patient outcomes.