Deciding on the right vascular access device option for you goes far beyond the treatment itself—it may provide advantages to your lifestyle and comfort, as well as the long-term health of the veins in your hands and arms.
The PortReady™ Program is a patient information initiative focused on helping you, or a loved one, as you start infusion therapy treatment. Infusion therapy isn’t always easy, but we believe choosing the right vascular access device is an important first step. The PortReady™ Program is a resource that provides you with information regarding port placement, port access, and care. The right information can help you to be PortReady™.
Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy is the delivery of medication or fluids through a catheter tube and into the vein. These tubes can be placed in veins of the hand or lower arm (peripheral I.V), or through devices such as a peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), central venous catheters (CVC), or implantable ports. Talk to your healthcare provider about what’s best for you.
9 OUT OF 10
patients surveyed stated that port use improved their quality of life due to decreased pain associated with venipuncture, need for fewer needle sticks, and quicker blood withdraws1
56% OF PATIENTS
who received infusion therapy through a peripheral I.V. were unable to complete their therapy via peripheral I.V. and switched to a port2
A vascular access device (VAD) provides access to your veins for the delivery of I.V. medications and infusion therapy. Your doctor will choose the device appropriate for your treatment needs.
Common for short-term use, placed in lower arm.
External device placed in upper arm for short or long-term access.
External device placed in chest, common for long-term use.
Choosing a method of delivery is an important decision for you and your doctor. Depending on your treatment regimen, you have the option to choose a delivery method that fits your particular needs. Ask your doctor what vascular access device may be right for you.
A port is a small device with a reservoir inside that is sealed by a soft top called a septum. The port connects to a small flexible tube called a catheter. A special needle is put in the soft top of the port so that medicines and fluids can be given and blood samples withdrawn. There are many different kinds of ports. Your doctor will select the one that is best for you.
The port is placed beneath your skin during a short, minor surgical procedure. The small tube or catheter is placed inside a vein, a vessel that returns blood to your heart. Ports are often placed in the upper chest or arm. Ask your doctor about the ideal placement location for you that is best suited for your treatment.
Your treatment may require frequent delivery of medicine or fluids into your bloodstream. Your doctor or nurse may also require blood samples. If this is the case, a port may be an appropriate option for your treatment.
COMFORT
Once placed, a port can stay in place as long as your doctor makes sure that it works and that you still need it. While the port itself will still need to be accessed with a needle, there will be a decreased need for the sometimes painful poking and prodding when finding a peripheral vein in the arms or hands with an I.V. every time you receive treatment or have your blood drawn.
LONG-TERM HEALTH
Since ports are typically placed in the chest, port usage can reduce the likelihood of damage to the veins in your arm or hand. This may benefit if you need blood work or I.V.s down the road.
LIFESTYLE
Implanted ports, compared to other centrally placed vascular access devices, are more likely to permit you to go about your normal day-to-day activities, like showering, swimming, and jogging. Ask your doctor or nurse about specific activities and the appropriate time to resume them.
INCREASED PRIVACY AND APPEARANCE
With an implanted port, there is no exposed device. Implanted ports are small and can be hidden from view. No one needs to know about your treatment unless you want them to.
Ports are available in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your treatment needs.
If you are receiving an infusion treatment, it may involve frequent injections or infusions of medication and other fluids directly into the bloodstream. The treatment may also require that blood samples be withdrawn. An implanted port may help to decrease the discomfort of these procedures. Ask your doctor if a port is right for you.
Implantable ports are typically placed during a short, minor surgical procedure in an Interventional Radiology suite or Surgical suite. Once your port is placed, most facilities allow the port to be used right away for your treatment.
After the procedure you will see some redness and tenderness in the area. This should go away in 24 to 48 hours. However, contact your doctor or nurse if you notice unusual changes in the skin such as increased swelling, redness or soreness.
If your port will be used the day it is placed, your doctor will insert an access needle into the septum during the port placement. The needle and port will be covered by a bandage or other dressing during access.
After the port is placed, your doctor or nurse will access the port when they need to give medicine, fluids or withdraw blood samples. The port will be accessed by placing a special needle, called a Huber needle or non-coring needle, into the port septum.
Depending on the facility or your prescribed therapy, you may be sitting up in a chair or lying down on a bed for the procedure. You may feel a mild pricking when they put the needle into the port. This sensation often gets milder over time. Ask your doctor or nurse for more details as to what you should expect.
Your port will need to be flushed (cleansed out with fluid) when it’s not being used. This is done to make sure the catheter doesn’t become blocked. Your port will also be flushed right before the needle is removed after each treatment or infusion. Your nurse may flush your port with heparin. If you’re allergic to heparin, your port should be flushed with saline. Check your patient ID card or ask your care team for proper flushing information. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you will return to the clinic for flushing your port.
Your port will need to be flushed (cleansed out with fluid) when it’s not being used. This is done to make sure the catheter doesn’t become blocked. Your port will also be flushed right before the needle is removed after each treatment or infusion. Your nurse may flush your port with heparin. If you’re allergic to heparin, your port should be flushed with saline. Check your patient ID card or ask your care team for proper flushing information. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you will return to the clinic for flushing your port.
After the port has been placed and the small incision has healed, you should be able to return to your daily life. Ask your doctor or nurse about specific activities and when to resume them.
A bandage will be needed until the incision heals. Afterwards, a bandage is not required when the port is not in use. If you are receiving a treatment, a bandage may be applied to secure the needle.
Ask your doctor or nurse. The answer will depend on where your port is placed.
Insurance policies vary. Please check with your insurance company.
Security systems may detect the small amount of metal in the port. If this happens, show your Patient Identification Card.
The port can stay in place as long as your doctor makes sure that it works and that you still need it.
Yes. The port can be removed with a minor surgical procedure similar to the one used to place it.
Yes. The materials used in the PowerPort® Implantable Port are safe for use in CT and CECT procedures.
Yes. You may get an MRI with the port. There are specific conditions for the MRI procedure, ask your doctor for more information about MRI safety.
Patients who: have or are suspected of having an infection, have a history forming blood clots, have a body size that will not allow for proper port placement or port access, have had the port insertion site exposed to radiation, or are not emotionally prepared to have an implanted medical device.
Unfortunately, a port is not for everyone, especially patients with a history of forming blood clots, who have had previous vascular access surgery, or who are not emotionally prepared to have an implanted medical device. Like any vascular access procedure, there is always a risk of complications, including venous blood clots, skin erosion, infection, a collapsed lung, or clotting of the port catheter. Talk to your physician or nurse about these and other risks, and whether a port or other treatments are right for you.
Use of an implanted port carries risks associated with a minor surgical procedure and vascular access. Potential complications include:
After the procedure you will see some redness and tenderness in the area. This should go away in 24 to 48 hours. However, contact your doctor or nurse if you notice unusual changes in the skin such as increased swelling, redness, soreness or drainage. If you have pain, fever, chills, shortness of breath, dizziness or drainage, contact your doctor right away.
You should be given a wallet-sized Medical Alert Identification Card. This card has important information about the port. With this information, other medical personnel will be able to help you.
