An implanted port is a device that allows easy access to give medicine into the veins and take blood samples from the veins. It is implanted under the chest skin. It is about a half inch thick and about the size of a quarter. You can feel its raised center under your skin. A flexible piece of tubing (catheter) is connected to it. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to an area near the neck where it enters a vein.

The center of the port is made of a tough, self-sealing, rubber-like material (septum) that can be punctured through the chest skin with a special needle many times. Each time the septum will reseal right away.

Purpose of the Port

The purpose of the port is to give medicine or nutrition. It can also be used to draw blood.

Examples of its uses include:

Delivering IV fluids
Blood transfusions
IV antibiotics
IV chemotherapy
IV nutrition

Port Placement

See Health Facts for You #5958 to learn what to expect with port placement.

How a Port Works

A special needle is used to “access” the port to give medicine. The needle (called a Huber® needle) will be inserted into the port septum through a layer of skin.

When the port is accessed, the needle remains in place and is covered with a dressing. The needle and dressing are changed once a week. While the needle is in place, it can be used to administer medicines and draw blood.

When you are done with your treatment or hospital stay, the needle can be removed or “deaccessed.”

If not in use, it is recommended your port be accessed and flushed every 30 days. This helps keep the line open and free of blood.

Some patients receive infusions through their port at home. If you go home with an accessed port, you need to care for your CVAD to keep it working and help prevent the spread of germs. Follow the instructions below unless your provider or home health agency has told you differently.

Caring for Your Port at Home

Handwashing

Wash your hands and put on clean gloves before caring for your port and touching any supplies. These steps help prevent infection.

If hands do not look dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as Purell® gel. Rub it well, all over your hands, front and back, until dry.
If hands look dirty, use soap and water. Wash well, for at least 15 seconds. Use a new, clean towel or paper towel to dry hands well.

Flushing Your Port

Flushing the port keeps the port clear of blood and medicine. Your port must be flushed after each use (at least once per day when accessed with a needle), before the needle is removed, and once a month if it’s not in use. Flushing the port may be done by your clinic, local health care provider, the patient, or family member.

Daily: If you receive infusions at home, your port must be flushed after each use (at least once per day).

Monthly: If not in use, it is recommended your port be accessed and flushed every 30 days. This helps to keep the line open and free of blood.

How to Access and Flush Your Port

Most patients have their ports accessed by a health care provider. An accessed port is a port that has a needle in it. You may be asked to flush your port daily or flush your port and remove the needle from it. Follow the steps in this handout for flushing and removing the needle.

Supplies for Flushing Your Port

1-prefilled (10 u/mL) saline syringe for flush
Alcohol wipes
Gloves

Steps for Flushing Your Port

Clean work area.
Gather supplies.
Wash hands.
Put on gloves.
To prepare the flush, remove from the plastic wrapper.
Make sure port tubing is clamped.
Scrub the hub of the needleless connector with an alcohol wipe for 15 seconds. Allow hub to dry and do not let it touch anything.
Note: If anything touches the hub before you attach the flush syringe, stop and scrub the hub again with a new alcohol wipe for 15 seconds.
Remove the plastic cover from the tip of the syringe. There is a small amount of air in the syringe. Point the syringe up and gently push the air out of the syringe.
Connect the syringe filled with saline to the hub of the needleless connector. Twist on completely.
Note: If the tip of the syringe touches anything other than the end of the CVAD, stop, and replace the syringe.
Unclamp the port.
Begin flushing using a “push-pause method” on the syringe plunger. Push the contents of the syringe into the port, leaving a small amount of fluid in the syringe.
Note: The port should flush easily. If you find it hard to push the fluid in, check to make sure the clamp is open and that the tubing is not kinked. If it is still hard to push the fluid in, do not force the plunger. Stop and call your home care agency or clinic.
Clamp port.
Remove syringe.
Follow the instructions your clinic or home health nurse gave you for throwing away the used supplies.
Wash hands.

Removing the Needle (Deaccessing your Port)

When your infusion is finished, you may be told to remove the needle from the port. The port should be flushed after the infusion. Follow the steps on this handout to flush your port, then follow these steps to remove the needle from the port.

Supplies for Deaccessing Your Port

1-prefilled (10 u/mL) saline syringe OR 1 prefilled 5 mL heparin syringe (100 units/ml) for needle deaccess (if told not to use saline)
Alcohol wipes
Gloves

Steps for Deaccessing Your Port

Follow “Steps for Flushing Your Port” 1-15.
Connect the syringe filled with saline or heparin to the hub of the needleless connector. Twist on.
Note: If anything touches the hub before you attach the flush syringe, stop and scrub the hub again for 15 seconds.
Note: If the tip of the syringe touches anything other than the end of the port, stop, and replace the syringe.
Unclamp port.
Begin flushing using a “push-pause method” on the syringe plunger. Push the contents of the syringe into the port, leaving a small amount of fluid in the syringe.
After the port has been flushed and locked, remove dressing.
Secure the port with two fingers of one hand, pull out the needle.
Engage the safety device for the needle and place it in the Sharps Box provided by the clinic or home care agency.
If the site is bleeding, apply a gauze and hold pressure at the site until the bleeding stops.
Note: It is recommended your port is flushed and locked with normal saline every 30 days. If your port is to remain de-accessed longer than 30 days, your provider or home health agency may consider locking the port with 100 unit/ml of heparin prior to de-accessing. Follow the instruction your provider or home health agency has told you. If you are unsure if you should be using saline or heparin, call your home care agency or call your doctor.

Activity Guidelines

When your port is not being used, you may safely swim, exercise, and do most of your normal activities.

You will need to avoid:

Any direct blow to port site.
Heavy contact sports (i.e., football, hockey, etc.). Talk to your doctor or nurse if you’re wanting to play a heavy contact sport.

When to Call

Call your doctor if you notice any of these signs of infection:

Site becomes red and hot.
Site becomes tender to the touch.
Fever of 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher.
Excess swelling or bleeding of the skin.
Drainage from the site.
Pain at the site.
Trouble flushing the port.

Terms to Know

Needleless connector: The needleless connector (also called the hub) is the 1-inch clear plastic piece. You can see this part at the end of the port. It keeps the port closed and helps keep air and germs out of your body. Your port should always have a needleless connector attached.

Scrub the hub: This refers to cleaning the needleless connector. Use an alcohol swab and wipe the hub for 15 seconds. When finished, let it dry for 15 seconds before use.

Flushing: Flushing the port refers to using saline to clear anything that still may be in the CVAD such as blood, medicine or nutrition.

Locking: Locking the CVAD refers to putting heparin or saline in the CVAD when it is not being used. The CVAD should also be clamped when it is not being used.

Push-pause method: This a method you can use to flush your CVAD to keep it clear of any blood, extra medicine or nutrition. Instead of a steady push, you should start (push) and stop using the push-pause method.