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Always:
- Follow the recommended procedure and use approved prepping agents when cleaning the port septum area
- Use a non-coring needle of the appropriate length and gauge.
- Insert the needle at a 90° angle to the skin
- Anchor the port with your non-dominant hand while accessing
the Port.
- Allow all prepping agents to dry thoroughly before accessing
port.
- Call the physician if resistance to flushing is felt, if patient
Complains of being able to feel burning during infusion, or if
there is any difficulty accessing the port septum.
- Make sure the needle is completely inserted into the port
septum so that the tip of the needle touches the base of the
port chamber.
- Flush with a 10 cc or larger syringe, and use a turbulent
flushing technique to prevent the buildup of “sludge” inside the chamber.
Never
- Forcefully access the port so that the needle gets bent upon
contact with the bottom of the port chamber.
- Tilt or rock needle once inserted into the port
- Leave the port accessed without clamping the extension tubing
and assuring the injection cap is luer locked securely to the extension tubing.