Discharge Instructuions for Vascular Access Port Implantation 

Port implantation is surgery to place (implant) a port under the skin. For vascular access, it is placed into a vein. The port allows medications or nutrition to be sent straight into your bloodstream. Blood can also be taken or given through the port. During the procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter is threaded into one of your large veins. The tube is then attached to the port. This usually sits under the skin of the chest and causes a small bump. To use the port, a special needle is passed through the skin and into the port. The needle can stay in the skin for up to 7 days, if needed. A port can stay in place for weeks or months.

Why Is a Vascular Access Port Needed?

A vascular access port may allow healthcare providers to give you:

• Chemotherapy or other cancer-fighting drugs.

• IV treatments, such as antibiotics or nutrition.

• Regular blood draws.

• Hemodialysis (for kidney failure)

Before the Procedure

Follow any instructions you are given on how to prepare. Be sure your provider knows:

• All medications, herbs, or supplements you take.

• If you are or might be pregnant.

• If you are allergic to any medications or substances.

During the Procedure

• Before the procedure, an IV may be put into a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medications. Medication to help you relax during the procedure may be given through the IV. This is called sedation.

• The chest is used most often for the port. In some cases, abdomen (belly) or arm is used instead.

• The skin over the insertion area is numbed with local anesthetic.

• X-rays are used to help the doctor see inside the body during the procedure.

• An incision is made in the skin where the port will be placed. A small “pocket” for the port is formed under the skin.

• A second small incision is made in the skin near the first incision. A “tunnel” under the skin is created. The catheter is put through the tunnel and into the blood vessel.

• The skin is closed over the port. It is held shut with sutures (stitches) or surgical glue or tape.

• A chest x-ray may be done to make sure the port is placed properly.

After the Procedure

You may be taken to a recovery room where you’ll recover from the sedation. Nurses will check on you as you rest. If you have pain, nurses can give you medication. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, you will be sent home a few hours after the procedure is done. A healthcare provider will tell you when you can go home. When you leave the hospital, an adult family member or friend will need to drive you.

Recovering at Home

• Take pain medication as directed by your doctor.

• Take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure. Avoid physical activity and heavy lifting until your doctor says it’s okay.

• There will be a raised area of skin over the port.

• Wash hands before touching  the dressing. Keep the incision clean and dry. After 2 days you may remove the top dressing and wash the incision gently with warm water and soap.

• You may have steri-strips over your incision. DO NOT remove these strips. They will come off on their own or the doctor will remove them.

• Don’t swim, bathe, or do other activities that cause water to cover the insertion site.

• To keep the port from getting blocked with blood clots, flush it as often as directed.

 

 

Discharge Instructuions for Vascular Access Port Implantation 

Port implantation is surgery to place (implant) a port under the skin. For vascular access, it is placed into a vein. The port allows medications or nutrition to be sent straight into your bloodstream. Blood can also be taken or given through the port. During the procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter is threaded into one of your large veins. The tube is then attached to the port. This usually sits under the skin of the chest and causes a small bump. To use the port, a special needle is passed through the skin and into the port. The needle can stay in the skin for up to 7 days, if needed. A port can stay in place for weeks or months.

Why Is a Vascular Access Port Needed?

A vascular access port may allow healthcare providers to give you:

• Chemotherapy or other cancer-fighting drugs.

• IV treatments, such as antibiotics or nutrition.

• Regular blood draws.

• Hemodialysis (for kidney failure)

Before the Procedure

Follow any instructions you are given on how to prepare. Be sure your provider knows:

• All medications, herbs, or supplements you take.

• If you are or might be pregnant.

• If you are allergic to any medications or substances.

During the Procedure

• Before the procedure, an IV may be put into a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medications. Medication to help you relax during the procedure may be given through the IV. This is called sedation.

• The chest is used most often for the port. In some cases, abdomen (belly) or arm is used instead.

• The skin over the insertion area is numbed with local anesthetic.

• X-rays are used to help the doctor see inside the body during the procedure.

• An incision is made in the skin where the port will be placed. A small “pocket” for the port is formed under the skin.

• A second small incision is made in the skin near the first incision. A “tunnel” under the skin is created. The catheter is put through the tunnel and into the blood vessel.

• The skin is closed over the port. It is held shut with sutures (stitches) or surgical glue or tape.

• A chest x-ray may be done to make sure the port is placed properly.

After the Procedure

You may be taken to a recovery room where you’ll recover from the sedation. Nurses will check on you as you rest. If you have pain, nurses can give you medication. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, you will be sent home a few hours after the procedure is done. A healthcare provider will tell you when you can go home. When you leave the hospital, an adult family member or friend will need to drive you.

Recovering at Home

• Take pain medication as directed by your doctor.

• Take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure. Avoid physical activity and heavy lifting until your doctor says it’s okay.

• There will be a raised area of skin over the port.

• Wash hands before touching  the dressing. Keep the incision clean and dry. After 2 days you may remove the top dressing and wash the incision gently with warm water and soap.

• You may have steri-strips over your incision. DO NOT remove these strips. They will come off on their own or the doctor will remove them.

• Don’t swim, bathe, or do other activities that cause water to cover the insertion site.

• To keep the port from getting blocked with blood clots, flush it as often as directed.

 

 

Discharge Instructuions for Vascular Access Port Implantation 

Port implantation is surgery to place (implant) a port under the skin. For vascular access, it is placed into a vein. The port allows medications or nutrition to be sent straight into your bloodstream. Blood can also be taken or given through the port. During the procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter is threaded into one of your large veins. The tube is then attached to the port. This usually sits under the skin of the chest and causes a small bump. To use the port, a special needle is passed through the skin and into the port. The needle can stay in the skin for up to 7 days, if needed. A port can stay in place for weeks or months.

Why Is a Vascular Access Port Needed?

A vascular access port may allow healthcare providers to give you:

• Chemotherapy or other cancer-fighting drugs.

• IV treatments, such as antibiotics or nutrition.

• Regular blood draws.

• Hemodialysis (for kidney failure)

Before the Procedure

Follow any instructions you are given on how to prepare. Be sure your provider knows:

• All medications, herbs, or supplements you take.

• If you are or might be pregnant.

• If you are allergic to any medications or substances.

During the Procedure

• Before the procedure, an IV may be put into a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medications. Medication to help you relax during the procedure may be given through the IV. This is called sedation.

• The chest is used most often for the port. In some cases, abdomen (belly) or arm is used instead.

• The skin over the insertion area is numbed with local anesthetic.

• X-rays are used to help the doctor see inside the body during the procedure.

• An incision is made in the skin where the port will be placed. A small “pocket” for the port is formed under the skin.

• A second small incision is made in the skin near the first incision. A “tunnel” under the skin is created. The catheter is put through the tunnel and into the blood vessel.

• The skin is closed over the port. It is held shut with sutures (stitches) or surgical glue or tape.

• A chest x-ray may be done to make sure the port is placed properly.

After the Procedure

You may be taken to a recovery room where you’ll recover from the sedation. Nurses will check on you as you rest. If you have pain, nurses can give you medication. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, you will be sent home a few hours after the procedure is done. A healthcare provider will tell you when you can go home. When you leave the hospital, an adult family member or friend will need to drive you.

Recovering at Home

• Take pain medication as directed by your doctor.

• Take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure. Avoid physical activity and heavy lifting until your doctor says it’s okay.

• There will be a raised area of skin over the port.

• Wash hands before touching  the dressing. Keep the incision clean and dry. After 2 days you may remove the top dressing and wash the incision gently with warm water and soap.

• You may have steri-strips over your incision. DO NOT remove these strips. They will come off on their own or the doctor will remove them.

• Don’t swim, bathe, or do other activities that cause water to cover the insertion site.

• To keep the port from getting blocked with blood clots, flush it as often as directed.