Port Accessed and Shower questions

J

JennifersHope

New member
In the past I have never done things by the book when it came to port dressing changes and taking a shower.. I always took my dressing off, took a shower with the needle in and then cleaned the area with the prep kit and reapplied a clean dressing.

As a nurse and someone with common sense, I know how horrible that was to do but at time I was on IV's for an extended period of time I was working and not showering was not an option

Now I am more cautious. plus my home infusion company only gave me two dressing changes.... for the whole week


I take baths daily but I really need a shower so I can wash my hair... How in the world do you guys keep your port dry and still wash your hair?

When I had a PICC I used to use the saran wrap or the cling. but I can't exactly do that around my chest.....



Since this is going to be long term, I figure I better come up with a more doable solution
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
In the past I have never done things by the book when it came to port dressing changes and taking a shower.. I always took my dressing off, took a shower with the needle in and then cleaned the area with the prep kit and reapplied a clean dressing.

As a nurse and someone with common sense, I know how horrible that was to do but at time I was on IV's for an extended period of time I was working and not showering was not an option

Now I am more cautious. plus my home infusion company only gave me two dressing changes.... for the whole week


I take baths daily but I really need a shower so I can wash my hair... How in the world do you guys keep your port dry and still wash your hair?

When I had a PICC I used to use the saran wrap or the cling. but I can't exactly do that around my chest.....



Since this is going to be long term, I figure I better come up with a more doable solution
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
In the past I have never done things by the book when it came to port dressing changes and taking a shower.. I always took my dressing off, took a shower with the needle in and then cleaned the area with the prep kit and reapplied a clean dressing.

As a nurse and someone with common sense, I know how horrible that was to do but at time I was on IV's for an extended period of time I was working and not showering was not an option

Now I am more cautious. plus my home infusion company only gave me two dressing changes.... for the whole week


I take baths daily but I really need a shower so I can wash my hair... How in the world do you guys keep your port dry and still wash your hair?

When I had a PICC I used to use the saran wrap or the cling. but I can't exactly do that around my chest.....



Since this is going to be long term, I figure I better come up with a more doable solution
 
J

just1more

New member
If it were me I'll call your home-health agency and tell them to send more dressings. End of discussion.

We de-access for showers/baths/swimming/etc. As long as you are sterile when you re-access there is no reason not to. This is one of the big benefits of having a port.
 
J

just1more

New member
If it were me I'll call your home-health agency and tell them to send more dressings. End of discussion.

We de-access for showers/baths/swimming/etc. As long as you are sterile when you re-access there is no reason not to. This is one of the big benefits of having a port.
 
J

just1more

New member
If it were me I'll call your home-health agency and tell them to send more dressings. End of discussion.
<br />
<br />We de-access for showers/baths/swimming/etc. As long as you are sterile when you re-access there is no reason not to. This is one of the big benefits of having a port.
<br />
<br />
 
A

Angel2393

New member
Hey girl, I used to have a port in my chest for 4 year, it was horrable at first because I wasnt used to it, then I got used to it and actually preferred it over having it in my arm. I was a little girl when I had it up to the age of 14, when I got antibiotices for 2 weeks my mom would help me cover it- we put on tons of saran and taped it then we would buy shower caps because they are water proof and cut them up and tape it over the saran, and it worked! of course I wouldnt play splash and purposly try and get it wet, I was really careful.
 
A

Angel2393

New member
Hey girl, I used to have a port in my chest for 4 year, it was horrable at first because I wasnt used to it, then I got used to it and actually preferred it over having it in my arm. I was a little girl when I had it up to the age of 14, when I got antibiotices for 2 weeks my mom would help me cover it- we put on tons of saran and taped it then we would buy shower caps because they are water proof and cut them up and tape it over the saran, and it worked! of course I wouldnt play splash and purposly try and get it wet, I was really careful.
 
A

Angel2393

New member
Hey girl, I used to have a port in my chest for 4 year, it was horrable at first because I wasnt used to it, then I got used to it and actually preferred it over having it in my arm. I was a little girl when I had it up to the age of 14, when I got antibiotices for 2 weeks my mom would help me cover it- we put on tons of saran and taped it then we would buy shower caps because they are water proof and cut them up and tape it over the saran, and it worked! of course I wouldnt play splash and purposly try and get it wet, I was really careful.
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Tom, when you re-access, do you use the same needle? I am a little leary of doing that once the needle has been in for a few days.. I know that when I accessed my patients ports, I would if I missed the first time, re stick them with the same needle, one time.

I decided to take the dressing off and take a shower. I tried the saran wrap it got all wet underneath so I just took everything off, when I was done I reswabed the area and put on my final dressing.

I was told my insurance only allows a certain amount of dressing per week. That is total crap because if I sweat it gets itchy etc....


Tom how are you ding with getting into medical school???? how exciting for you. I am ever, ever and I do mean ever so slowly working on getting my Master's in nursing.. I am hoping that by the time I am ready for the clinical aspect I will be able to do it, if not I will have to switch to Nursing Admin, which I really have no interest in....

I am so blessed that I can still work one day a week.. but I am dreaming of when I can go back to work, hopefully full time.

Anyway, best of luck to you. I have a few friends that are either in Med school/residency or doing their fellowship. It is a lot of work, but I think for you having a family such as what you have will make you an incredible doctor. Do you know what you want to specialize in?

Thanks for the saran wrap ip, I am going to try the cut up shower curtain for next hair washing......
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Tom, when you re-access, do you use the same needle? I am a little leary of doing that once the needle has been in for a few days.. I know that when I accessed my patients ports, I would if I missed the first time, re stick them with the same needle, one time.

I decided to take the dressing off and take a shower. I tried the saran wrap it got all wet underneath so I just took everything off, when I was done I reswabed the area and put on my final dressing.

I was told my insurance only allows a certain amount of dressing per week. That is total crap because if I sweat it gets itchy etc....


Tom how are you ding with getting into medical school???? how exciting for you. I am ever, ever and I do mean ever so slowly working on getting my Master's in nursing.. I am hoping that by the time I am ready for the clinical aspect I will be able to do it, if not I will have to switch to Nursing Admin, which I really have no interest in....

I am so blessed that I can still work one day a week.. but I am dreaming of when I can go back to work, hopefully full time.

Anyway, best of luck to you. I have a few friends that are either in Med school/residency or doing their fellowship. It is a lot of work, but I think for you having a family such as what you have will make you an incredible doctor. Do you know what you want to specialize in?

Thanks for the saran wrap ip, I am going to try the cut up shower curtain for next hair washing......
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Tom, when you re-access, do you use the same needle? I am a little leary of doing that once the needle has been in for a few days.. I know that when I accessed my patients ports, I would if I missed the first time, re stick them with the same needle, one time.
<br />
<br />I decided to take the dressing off and take a shower. I tried the saran wrap it got all wet underneath so I just took everything off, when I was done I reswabed the area and put on my final dressing.
<br />
<br />I was told my insurance only allows a certain amount of dressing per week. That is total crap because if I sweat it gets itchy etc....
<br />
<br />
<br />Tom how are you ding with getting into medical school???? how exciting for you. I am ever, ever and I do mean ever so slowly working on getting my Master's in nursing.. I am hoping that by the time I am ready for the clinical aspect I will be able to do it, if not I will have to switch to Nursing Admin, which I really have no interest in....
<br />
<br />I am so blessed that I can still work one day a week.. but I am dreaming of when I can go back to work, hopefully full time.
<br />
<br />Anyway, best of luck to you. I have a few friends that are either in Med school/residency or doing their fellowship. It is a lot of work, but I think for you having a family such as what you have will make you an incredible doctor. Do you know what you want to specialize in?
<br />
<br />Thanks for the saran wrap ip, I am going to try the cut up shower curtain for next hair washing......
 
J

just1more

New member
No, you don't want to re-use the needle. Port access has to be sterile, that precludes reusing the needle.

As for insurance, that is BS. The Dr prescribes: dressing & supplies as needed. The insurance has to pay for it. More likely the agency is just being lazy/difficult <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

As for medical school, it is going well I *think* I may have my first acceptance this week to my #2 school!!!!

I should know by mid-week and I'm beside myself waiting at this point.
 
J

just1more

New member
No, you don't want to re-use the needle. Port access has to be sterile, that precludes reusing the needle.

As for insurance, that is BS. The Dr prescribes: dressing & supplies as needed. The insurance has to pay for it. More likely the agency is just being lazy/difficult <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

As for medical school, it is going well I *think* I may have my first acceptance this week to my #2 school!!!!

I should know by mid-week and I'm beside myself waiting at this point.
 
J

just1more

New member
No, you don't want to re-use the needle. Port access has to be sterile, that precludes reusing the needle.
<br />
<br />As for insurance, that is BS. The Dr prescribes: dressing & supplies as needed. The insurance has to pay for it. More likely the agency is just being lazy/difficult <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />As for medical school, it is going well I *think* I may have my first acceptance this week to my #2 school!!!!
<br />
<br />I should know by mid-week and I'm beside myself waiting at this point.
 
J

jenhum

New member
I've had home health nurses give me these before, they work pretty well. If I'm just doing 2-3 weeks, I just wash my hair in the sink and then bathe the rest of me in a bathtub with not much water. It's a huge pain, but I'm always terrified of getting anything wet. But the aqua guards would be a huge step up from what you're currently doing I think <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">.
<br><br><a target="_blank" title="Aqua Guards" href="http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient">http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient</a>
 
J

jenhum

New member
I've had home health nurses give me these before, they work pretty well. If I'm just doing 2-3 weeks, I just wash my hair in the sink and then bathe the rest of me in a bathtub with not much water. It's a huge pain, but I'm always terrified of getting anything wet. But the aqua guards would be a huge step up from what you're currently doing I think <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">.
<br><br><a target="_blank" title="Aqua Guards" href="http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient">http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient</a>
 
J

jenhum

New member
I've had home health nurses give me these before, they work pretty well. If I'm just doing 2-3 weeks, I just wash my hair in the sink and then bathe the rest of me in a bathtub with not much water. It's a huge pain, but I'm always terrified of getting anything wet. But the aqua guards would be a huge step up from what you're currently doing I think <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">.
<br><br><a target="_blank" title="Aqua Guards" href="http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient">http://www.cenorin.com/aquaguard_disposable_secondary_dressing_for_showering-product_sizes.html?user=patient</a>
 
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.

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..


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....

Thanks again
 
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.

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..


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....

Thanks again
 
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