I have not seen a huber needle that would allow for disinfection to the insertion site while the port is still accessed. In the home we simply remove the needle then do site care if we are reaccessing. We have never had any central line infections in the 5 years I have been the infusion coordinator here. Anxious to see what others have to say about this procedure. Thanks, Valorie
The Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice do not make any statements about disinfection of the skin before the port access needle is removed. I don't think it would be "wrong" to do this, but the question would be is it necessary. I am not aware of any evidence. It seems to me that you are pulling out, not pushing something in, so skin antisepsis is less of an issue. Let us know what you learn or decide. Lynn
Do other facilities/clinicians use Biopatch around the Huber needles when you access implanted ports? We were doing that, but sometimes it's difficult to keep the Biopatch in place when you're accessing.
We use BioPatch on all of our ports that are accessed for longer than 24 hours. Some needle designs are more difficult to place the BioPatch with than others. Once the transparent dressing is on, we don't have any problems with it moving around. I suggest that you contact your BioPatch rep for suggestions on how to apply the disc with your particular needle. They probably already have addressed this issue so would know how to help you.
I have not seen a huber needle that would allow for disinfection to the insertion site while the port is still accessed. In the home we simply remove the needle then do site care if we are reaccessing. We have never had any central line infections in the 5 years I have been the infusion coordinator here. Anxious to see what others have to say about this procedure. Thanks, Valorie
Valorie Dunn,BSN, RN, CRNI, PLNC
The Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice do not make any statements about disinfection of the skin before the port access needle is removed. I don't think it would be "wrong" to do this, but the question would be is it necessary. I am not aware of any evidence. It seems to me that you are pulling out, not pushing something in, so skin antisepsis is less of an issue. Let us know what you learn or decide. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
We work all the time with implantable ports and we do not desinfect prior to needle removal too.
Lieve Goossens, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
We do not disinfect prior to . . . but we also use biopatch around the needle site.
Do other facilities/clinicians use Biopatch around the Huber needles when you access implanted ports? We were doing that, but sometimes it's difficult to keep the Biopatch in place when you're accessing.
We use BioPatch on all of our ports that are accessed for longer than 24 hours. Some needle designs are more difficult to place the BioPatch with than others. Once the transparent dressing is on, we don't have any problems with it moving around. I suggest that you contact your BioPatch rep for suggestions on how to apply the disc with your particular needle. They probably already have addressed this issue so would know how to help you.
Janine Pritchett, RN-BC, BSN, VA-BC
Clinical Educator - Vascular Access
We us a foam disk if the I-Port will remain accessed for greater than 24 hours. Initial prep is sterile with CHG.