We switched to BioFlo ports last fall. We switched from Bard. I would have to say, completely anecdotally, that I have seen a significant drop in the use of Alteplase overall. Of course it is a little too early to call, because a high number of our patients still have Bard ports. Phase in; phase out... Our BioFlo ports also have PASV, which theoretically negates the requirement for heparin, but since we still have a significant number of Bard ports (without Groshong tips, though they now have these too), we are continuing to heparinize our BioFlo ports. I must admit our main reason for moving away from Bard was the three bumps. We were having problems with skin irritation/erosion. Also it was a crutch for staff who would shut down if they couldn't locate ALL THREE BUMPS. We just decided to go back to flat septum ports and remove the crutch.
Keith W. Gilchrist, MSN, RN, PHN, OCN, CRNI, VA-BC
Oncology Nurse Navigator, David Grant Medical Center
Travis AFB, CA
We switched to BioFlo ports last fall. We switched from Bard. I would have to say, completely anecdotally, that I have seen a significant drop in the use of Alteplase overall. Of course it is a little too early to call, because a high number of our patients still have Bard ports. Phase in; phase out... Our BioFlo ports also have PASV, which theoretically negates the requirement for heparin, but since we still have a significant number of Bard ports (without Groshong tips, though they now have these too), we are continuing to heparinize our BioFlo ports. I must admit our main reason for moving away from Bard was the three bumps. We were having problems with skin irritation/erosion. Also it was a crutch for staff who would shut down if they couldn't locate ALL THREE BUMPS. We just decided to go back to flat septum ports and remove the crutch.
Keith W. Gilchrist, MSN, RN, PHN, OCN, CRNI, VA-BC
Oncology Nurse Navigator, David Grant Medical Center
Travis AFB, CA