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Healthcare Professionals
You are your patients’ best advocate. With that role comes the opportunity to recommend the appropriate vascular access device–one that suits both their immediate and long-term needs.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Port?
ADVANTAGES:
- Can remain in place and be functional for many years
- Immediate venous access for healthcare professionals
- Less potential for infection than external catheters
- Typically, a dressing is not required when the port is not accessed; therefore, ideal for patients with adhesive allergies
- Regular flushing is only required when not in use
- Less potential for the catheter to fall out/migrate than external catheters
- May be used to infuse IV solutions including chemotherapy and blood products
- Can be used to withdraw blood
- Implanted ports permit patients to go about their normal day-to-day activities, like showering and swimming
DISADVANTAGES:
- Port placement is a minor surgical procedure
- Must be accessed with a needle
- Presence of port may interfere with sleep patterns
- Requires a specially trained caregiver to access and de-access
- Limited lumen options
- Poses risk of complications such as catheter related infection, thrombosis, catheter tip migration, and fibrin sheath formation.