How Do You Care for a Port?
Description of a Port
- A port is a special IV (intravenous) line placed under the skin.
- The port has metal or plastic sides, a rubber-like material on top and a tube coming from the side. The tube is placed into a large blood vessel in the chest. The port is stitched in place under the skin.
- There are single lumen and double lumen ports. A lumen is an opening. Double lumen ports are slightly larger and have two separate tubings that both go into the vein. Depending on the treatment plan, the doctor will order a single or a double lumen.
- The port is placed during surgery in the operating room. Your child will be asleep and will not feel any pain. After the surgery, you will notice a small incision (cut) where the port was placed.
- The port can be used for medication, fluids and blood draws.
- A special needle is used to access, or get into, the port.
- A numbing cream used on the skin before accessing the port will help ease any discomfort. Your doctor will need to order this cream and you will be told how to use it.
- The port needs to be flushed at least once a month. The nurse at the hospital or clinic will flush the port, or arrangements can be made to have this done at home by a nurse.
Caring For a Port at Home
- Check the port incision for redness, warmth, drainage or swelling. If you find any of these, call your doctor.
- There is no special care once the skin heals where the port was put in.
If your child has an accessed port:
- Your child may need to go home with the port accessed. The needle used to get into the port is secured in place with tape and covered with a dressing.
- The nurse will teach you how to care for the port and how to flush the port daily.
- Arrangements will be made with a home infusion company to provide the supplies and nursing services.
Safety Guidelines For a Port
Your child should avoid activities that could cause damage to the port. These activities include:
- Contact sports
- Amusement park rides that cause excessive spinning, twirling, jerking or shaking—these could cause the port to flip or move
If you are not sure of an activity, ask your doctor or home care nurse.
If your child has an accessed port:
- Make sure the dressing over the needle stays in place and all edges are sealed. This will keep the needle in place and keep the site clean.
- Do not get the dressing wet.
- Take care to avoid tugs and pulls on the tubing.
- Keep an emergency kit with your child at all times. The emergency kit should have tape, a clamp, gloves and gauze.
Possible Problems With a Port
- Fluids or medication leaking into surrounding tissue
- Infection
- Blockage due to clotting of blood in the port
- A change in the position of the port inside the body
Call Your Child's Doctor If:
- Your child has a fever
- Your child has chills, drowsiness or feels sick
- There is any redness, swelling, pain or drainage at the port site
- Your child has any swelling in the chest or neck at any time
- Your child tells you that something doesn’t feel right in the chest area
If your child has an accessed port, call your doctor or nurse if:
- You are not able to flush it
- There is any swelling or leakage at or around the port site
Preventing a Problem with a Port
- Keep track of when the monthly port flush is due.
- Avoid contact sports and any activities that could cause damage to the port.
- Wash your hands before doing any port care.
- Keep a clean, dry and sealed dressing over a port that is accessed.
- Avoid tugs or pulls on the tubing if a port is accessed.
- Avoid amusement park rides that cause spinning, twirling or jerking.
