Port-a-cath

[guest317]

I have had very limited experience/exposure with port-a-caths and Huber needles so I am asking for information. The family member of a friend had a port-a-cath implanted to receive chemotherapy. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to uncontrolled afib and when she was discharged, the nurse left the Huber needle in the port and "dressed" it. After the patient went home she developed a fever of 103 and was readmitted for sepsis. My question is: Is the Huber needle ever left in the port and if it is, how is it capped off? My concern is that our local hospital is extremely short staffed and is using a large number of traveling nurses (more than half the nursing staff is comprised of traveling nurses) and this needle may have not been capped off. There have been many patient deaths due to lack of supervision and/or improper orientation of these nurses. I feel this patient was placed in jeopardy since she is already in a weakened physical state not to mention her immunosuppressed state. What is the usual protocol for a port-a-cath when not being used continuously? I know the procedure will vary by facility, but there has to be some common procedure. Thanks.

[kp2016]

This is a question for your friends doctor or the facility patient advocate. No one here can give you advise on something like this.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

kp2016 is correct.

Your friend needs to pose any questions/concerns to the patient's primary care provider. Per Terms of Service, we cannot provide the medical advice required.