Un-accessing a port-a-cath?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I have accessed a port-a-cath but have not un-accessed one. I have one scheduled tomorrow in the pt's home and just want to make sure I'll do it correctly.

Clean site, flush with NS, flush with Heparin, steady site with two gloved fingers, clean site again, pull huber out, apply pressure, apply band-aid.

Have I got it correct? Thanks!

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You got it, it's basically the same as dc'ing a central line, only you flush the port before you do it. ;)

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

easier to unacess than access a port!

by cleaning the site, what are you referring to?

clean injection cap, flush nss then heparin (amt per agency/doc protocal) using 10cc syringe. leaving syringe attached to extension tubing.

remove old dressing around portacath.

steady site with two gloved fingers- usually have

clean over port site with alcohol prep;occasionally need acetone prep outer area if skin very gummy cause someone was crazy with tape.

apply bandaid only if bleeding/ oozing occurs.

dispose dressing double bagged into trash can.

http://www.lww.com/promos1/4z780/4-z780-4.html

c-075: central venous catheters, care and maintenance of ...

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.
Easier to unacess than access a port!

Leaving syringe attached to extension tubing.

Remove old dressing around portacath.

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Why leave syringe on? To protect against air embolus or just for ease?

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

Leaving syringe on allows any backed up pressure/fuild to go into syringe as you withdrawl needle. Old practice to just remove and dispose of everything in one fell swope. If you are flushing an open line (as just d'cd continuous infusion) without end injection cap it's a must. May not be necessary with newer needless systems.

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Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.

All the above is correct and good, but one thing I would add to insure the safety of not obtaining a needle stick would be to use 2 sterile tongue depressors to stabilize the site as you are pulling out the needle. Place your hand towards the end of the tongue depressor, this way you have your hands out of harms way.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
All the above is correct and good, but one thing I would add to insure the safety of not obtaining a needle stick would be to use 2 sterile tongue depressors to stabilize the site as you are pulling out the needle. Place your hand towards the end of the tongue depressor, this way you have your hands out of harms way.

Most of the Huber needles have safety devices on them now. My opinion is the tongue depressors make it more complicated, more manipulating to do.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Most of the Huber needles have safety devices on them now. My opinion is the tongue depressors make it more complicated, more manipulating to do.

That's how I was feeling about it also. Thank's for reiderating that.

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