About this topic
A central line catheter is a very long intravenous (I.V.) line. A portacath is a type of central line. A portacath, or port, is made of a round disc and long tube called a catheter. They are hooked together and put under the skin. The port is most often put in the chest area. It can also be put in the upper arm or lower abdomen. It looks like a small bump under your skin. The long catheter tube is threaded under the skin and into a large vein that leads to just above your heart. Once you have a port, you do not need to have I.V. needles stuck into your arms to have lab tests drawn or fluids given. � �
Once this port is in place, the doctor or nurse will use a special needle to get into the disc part. This is called "accessing " � the port. The needle can stay in for a week at a time and will be covered with a clear bandage and taped in place. When the needle is not in the port, you will not have any holes in your skin because the port is under the skin. It can stay in place for months or years until your treatment is no longer needed. Sometimes, this kind of I.V. is used to draw blood for tests. � �
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful when lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Ask your doctor how to care for your port.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before touching the needle or port. Do not allow anyone to touch your needle or port with dirty hands.
- If there is no needle in it, the port will be fully under your skin and you will be able to do your normal activities.
- Your port will need to be flushed so a clot does not form at the end.
- You will flush the port with saline and then heparin to avoid having a clot form inside or at the end of the tube. You will do this each time you are finished giving yourself the fluid or drugs, and when you are going to pull the needle out of your skin.
- You will flush your port every 4 weeks if it is not being used for treatment.
- Your doctor will give you an ID card that will tell other people that you have an implanted port. It is very important to keep this card with you at all times to let doctors and nurses know what kind of port you have.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: � �
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Treat your condition
- Prevent blood clots
- Give nutrition
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity when you have a port. Avoid activities that make you tired. Avoid sports where you might get hit in the chest. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Avoid activities that pull on your arms or chest.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bruising
- Blood clot
- Scar inside the large blood vessel if the port is in for a long time
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 � �F (38 � �C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Not able to get a blood return from the port when using it
- Drugs or fluids will not go through the port
- You have concerns about your catheter
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: � �
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what I should do before I access my port or flush it.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have redness or drainage around my port site.
Where can I learn more?
Cancer.net � �
http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/chemotherapy/catheters-and-ports-cancer-treatment � �
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. � �
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Copyright � � 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. � �