Port Accessed and Shower questions

J

JennifersHope

New member
Thanks.. , believe it or not I am Central Line Certified and I used to teach RN's proper procedures for care and access of ports. How is that for irony.
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<br /> I worked in the ER and I was the one "nominated" to represent our department to certify the rest of the nurses, So I know full well the exact sterile technique involved in accessing and maintaining the site, however, dealing with it on a regular personal basis and especially showering with it.... just never have been able to get into the swing of it..
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<br />I have to use the Sorbview 2000 or my skin breaks out, we have that at my hospital I work at, I am going to ask if I can buy some at cost....
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<br />Thanks again
 
T

TestifyToLove

New member
Jennifer, Micah is notorious for ripping dressings OFF. Yes, he deaccesses himself, which I would prefer he do with a port than a PICC. We actually ran out of dressing changes this last time. I called the home health agency and demanded more supplies. They got ALL huffy, claimed I was asking for too many and insisted they needed authorization from his doctor for more supplies.

I calmly instructed them speak with his CF doctor, that his doctor was well aware of his autism and consequent behaviors and would completely agree if I needed new supplies.

They also snottily informed me that it was not GOOD to be accessing the port 2-3 times per day. I said, yeah tell me about it, but I have to get the antibiotics IN him, so if he deaccesses then I'm forced to reaccess whether I like it or not. I did ultimately have him sleep on the living room floor while I camped out next to him so I could monitor him at night. It slowed him down but did NOT stop him.
 
T

TestifyToLove

New member
Jennifer, Micah is notorious for ripping dressings OFF. Yes, he deaccesses himself, which I would prefer he do with a port than a PICC. We actually ran out of dressing changes this last time. I called the home health agency and demanded more supplies. They got ALL huffy, claimed I was asking for too many and insisted they needed authorization from his doctor for more supplies.

I calmly instructed them speak with his CF doctor, that his doctor was well aware of his autism and consequent behaviors and would completely agree if I needed new supplies.

They also snottily informed me that it was not GOOD to be accessing the port 2-3 times per day. I said, yeah tell me about it, but I have to get the antibiotics IN him, so if he deaccesses then I'm forced to reaccess whether I like it or not. I did ultimately have him sleep on the living room floor while I camped out next to him so I could monitor him at night. It slowed him down but did NOT stop him.
 
T

TestifyToLove

New member
Jennifer, Micah is notorious for ripping dressings OFF. Yes, he deaccesses himself, which I would prefer he do with a port than a PICC. We actually ran out of dressing changes this last time. I called the home health agency and demanded more supplies. They got ALL huffy, claimed I was asking for too many and insisted they needed authorization from his doctor for more supplies.
<br />
<br />I calmly instructed them speak with his CF doctor, that his doctor was well aware of his autism and consequent behaviors and would completely agree if I needed new supplies.
<br />
<br />They also snottily informed me that it was not GOOD to be accessing the port 2-3 times per day. I said, yeah tell me about it, but I have to get the antibiotics IN him, so if he deaccesses then I'm forced to reaccess whether I like it or not. I did ultimately have him sleep on the living room floor while I camped out next to him so I could monitor him at night. It slowed him down but did NOT stop him.
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Wow, you and your husband are just amazing people. Honest and truly you have my utmost respect for all the love and dedication you have for your children.

I took your husbands advice and I called the home company, I spoke to someone different and this time they said I can have as many dressing as I need!!


Gosh accessing three times or so a day... wow.....you have to do what you have to do but wow. That is rough for all of you.... Sometimes I want to change my port because it is just not comfortable...

When I first accessed it, It was great, the dressing felt great and it hardly bothered me, now that I reapplied dressings, this one is itching me and just not comfortable and it is all I can do not to take it off!!

Best of luck to you and you family, Thanks for your help
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Wow, you and your husband are just amazing people. Honest and truly you have my utmost respect for all the love and dedication you have for your children.

I took your husbands advice and I called the home company, I spoke to someone different and this time they said I can have as many dressing as I need!!


Gosh accessing three times or so a day... wow.....you have to do what you have to do but wow. That is rough for all of you.... Sometimes I want to change my port because it is just not comfortable...

When I first accessed it, It was great, the dressing felt great and it hardly bothered me, now that I reapplied dressings, this one is itching me and just not comfortable and it is all I can do not to take it off!!

Best of luck to you and you family, Thanks for your help
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Wow, you and your husband are just amazing people. Honest and truly you have my utmost respect for all the love and dedication you have for your children.
<br />
<br />I took your husbands advice and I called the home company, I spoke to someone different and this time they said I can have as many dressing as I need!!
<br />
<br />
<br />Gosh accessing three times or so a day... wow.....you have to do what you have to do but wow. That is rough for all of you.... Sometimes I want to change my port because it is just not comfortable...
<br />
<br />When I first accessed it, It was great, the dressing felt great and it hardly bothered me, now that I reapplied dressings, this one is itching me and just not comfortable and it is all I can do not to take it off!!
<br />
<br />Best of luck to you and you family, Thanks for your help
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I too use the Saran wrap trick and it works well...another tip, get a hand held shower so that you can direct the stream away from your chest. You can still wash your hair and get clean, but the chest doesn't get hit directly with water. Before the hand held shower, I found it hard even with the Saran wrap to keep my dressing completely dry, but it has been much easier to do since. As far as dressing kits, I order extras through medical supply companies. They don't require a prescription to get them, I order them in bulk to get the best prices (comes out to about 3 bucks a kit as opposed to 6 or more each if you buy them in quantities under 25). Your insurance should cover them though, your home company should provide more for you or you could have your doctor write a script for more of them, that way they have to oblige.

Good luck with your IV's.....

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> 39 w/CF
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I too use the Saran wrap trick and it works well...another tip, get a hand held shower so that you can direct the stream away from your chest. You can still wash your hair and get clean, but the chest doesn't get hit directly with water. Before the hand held shower, I found it hard even with the Saran wrap to keep my dressing completely dry, but it has been much easier to do since. As far as dressing kits, I order extras through medical supply companies. They don't require a prescription to get them, I order them in bulk to get the best prices (comes out to about 3 bucks a kit as opposed to 6 or more each if you buy them in quantities under 25). Your insurance should cover them though, your home company should provide more for you or you could have your doctor write a script for more of them, that way they have to oblige.

Good luck with your IV's.....

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> 39 w/CF
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I too use the Saran wrap trick and it works well...another tip, get a hand held shower so that you can direct the stream away from your chest. You can still wash your hair and get clean, but the chest doesn't get hit directly with water. Before the hand held shower, I found it hard even with the Saran wrap to keep my dressing completely dry, but it has been much easier to do since. As far as dressing kits, I order extras through medical supply companies. They don't require a prescription to get them, I order them in bulk to get the best prices (comes out to about 3 bucks a kit as opposed to 6 or more each if you buy them in quantities under 25). Your insurance should cover them though, your home company should provide more for you or you could have your doctor write a script for more of them, that way they have to oblige.
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<br />Good luck with your IV's.....
<br />
<br />Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> 39 w/CF
 
M

MissAlexsBP

Guest
Hi!

For me, Aqua Guards have worked -- I looked through the responses quickly, so I hope I'm not being repetitive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> . They are similar to Saran Wrap but a bit thicker. I've had pretty good luck with them. I do a little extra tape around the edges so no water gets in, but that would be my best bet! Or, if you have a bath tub, I've had good luck just putting a wash cloth over my accessed port (w/ the dressing) and just washing that way, but that can be time consuming and a bit awkward (as far as washing hair, etc.)

Here is a link to where I buy my aqua guards -- I'm sure you can find them other places, but I've had good luck! http://www.drugstore.com/aqua-guard-moisture-barrier-latex-free-7-x-7/qxp138475?catid=184291&aid=336064&aparam=aqua%20guards&scinit1=aqua%20guards

Good luck!!
 
M

MissAlexsBP

Guest
Hi!

For me, Aqua Guards have worked -- I looked through the responses quickly, so I hope I'm not being repetitive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> . They are similar to Saran Wrap but a bit thicker. I've had pretty good luck with them. I do a little extra tape around the edges so no water gets in, but that would be my best bet! Or, if you have a bath tub, I've had good luck just putting a wash cloth over my accessed port (w/ the dressing) and just washing that way, but that can be time consuming and a bit awkward (as far as washing hair, etc.)

Here is a link to where I buy my aqua guards -- I'm sure you can find them other places, but I've had good luck! http://www.drugstore.com/aqua-guard-moisture-barrier-latex-free-7-x-7/qxp138475?catid=184291&aid=336064&aparam=aqua%20guards&scinit1=aqua%20guards

Good luck!!
 
M

MissAlexsBP

Guest
Hi!
<br />
<br />For me, Aqua Guards have worked -- I looked through the responses quickly, so I hope I'm not being repetitive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> . They are similar to Saran Wrap but a bit thicker. I've had pretty good luck with them. I do a little extra tape around the edges so no water gets in, but that would be my best bet! Or, if you have a bath tub, I've had good luck just putting a wash cloth over my accessed port (w/ the dressing) and just washing that way, but that can be time consuming and a bit awkward (as far as washing hair, etc.)
<br />
<br />Here is a link to where I buy my aqua guards -- I'm sure you can find them other places, but I've had good luck! http://www.drugstore.com/aqua-guard-moisture-barrier-latex-free-7-x-7/qxp138475?catid=184291&aid=336064&aparam=aqua%20guards&scinit1=aqua%20guards
<br />
<br />Good luck!!
 
K

krisjohn53223

New member
My port is in the side of my boob and I feel like I am accessed all the time. I shower every day. I have a rectangle tegaderm over it. I only need to change it every 4 days or so. When I use the dressings from the dressing change kit, they only last one day for me which is why I go for the bigger ones.
 
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