5. Routine care of CVC - con't.
E. Cannulation of port-a-cath
A huber needle or noncoring needle is required to cannulate the port.
Port access kits are available with all the supplies needed except huber needle. If not, use a CVC dressing change kit.
Frequency of huber needle change is every 7 days.
Procedure
- Gather supplies.
- Aseptically draw 7ml saline in a 10cc syringe.
- Attach IOml syringe with saline to the huber needle extension tube and prime it.
- Clean the site with alcohol and bethedine x 3 each.
- Locate port under the skin and palpate port's septum ring.
- Stabilize the port with your non-dominant hand.
- With your dominant hand insert the huber needle at a 90 degree angle through the skin.
- Advance the huber needle through the rubber septum until it hits against the bottom of the port.
- Confirm proper needle placement by aspiration of blood and saline flush.
If there is no blood return, inject 20 ml saline as a test injection and check for infiltration.
- Position butterfly wings flat on the skin and stabilize with steri-strips. If bend of the needle is not close to the chest wall, use a folded 2x2 under the wings to stabilize the wings.
Port-a-cath de-cannulation technique: Flush the port with heparin. Remove all tapes and dressings. Pull the needle straight out.
