Question for those with ports or considering a port

[PortDoc]

Wanted to get a feel as to how many of you with ports access it yourself? I am an Interventional Radiologist, and much of the work I do is placing ports and other vascular access devices. I am developing a less invasive port that can be placed through a very small incision (about 3/8 in) in a procedure that is more similar to a PICC placement. It is designed to be placed in the upper arm, but in this location would be very difficult (if not impossible) to access by oneself. Would love to hear from any of you how you feel about the importance of self-acess. What is more important, a very discrete device in the upper arm, or a device in the chest that can be self-accessed? Thanks for your help.
Dr. Brad

 

[PortDoc]

Wanted to get a feel as to how many of you with ports access it yourself? I am an Interventional Radiologist, and much of the work I do is placing ports and other vascular access devices. I am developing a less invasive port that can be placed through a very small incision (about 3/8 in) in a procedure that is more similar to a PICC placement. It is designed to be placed in the upper arm, but in this location would be very difficult (if not impossible) to access by oneself. Would love to hear from any of you how you feel about the importance of self-acess. What is more important, a very discrete device in the upper arm, or a device in the chest that can be self-accessed? Thanks for your help.
Dr. Brad

 

[catboogie]

I have never accessed my own port and I don't intend to unless something were to change with my insurance. I have a nurse who comes to my house or else I get it done in clinic. I have had my port for a little over a year. Before I got it, I was intrigued by the idea of an arm port, although I understood that not just any IR department would place them. I think it would be nice to have the option!

 

[catboogie]

I have never accessed my own port and I don't intend to unless something were to change with my insurance. I have a nurse who comes to my house or else I get it done in clinic. I have had my port for a little over a year. Before I got it, I was intrigued by the idea of an arm port, although I understood that not just any IR department would place them. I think it would be nice to have the option!

 

[giantsfan91]

I don't have a port yet but I'm getting one placed monday and was hoping to get it on the left or right side of the chest almost under the arm if that is possible. I still have to talk to the doc. I would definitely go for a less noticeable arm port like you described if it was an option to me. I'm not concerned about accessing it myself because I have family and a home nursing company that does my IVs that could come out and access it for me. My biggest concern with a port is going to be its notice-ability so anything to cut down the size of it, I would be all for it.

 

[giantsfan91]

I don't have a port yet but I'm getting one placed monday and was hoping to get it on the left or right side of the chest almost under the arm if that is possible. I still have to talk to the doc. I would definitely go for a less noticeable arm port like you described if it was an option to me. I'm not concerned about accessing it myself because I have family and a home nursing company that does my IVs that could come out and access it for me. My biggest concern with a port is going to be its notice-ability so anything to cut down the size of it, I would be all for it.

 

[Havoc]

I'm nowhere near the point of needing a port, but if I had the choice, I would choose something that's more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Havoc]

I'm nowhere near the point of needing a port, but if I had the choice, I would choose something that's more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[krisgabes]

I don't access my port myself. I also have a nurse who comes each month for a monthly port flush. I have mine in my chest and I don't mind the location, I don't think I'd get one placed in my arm.

 

[krisgabes]

I don't access my port myself. I also have a nurse who comes each month for a monthly port flush. I have mine in my chest and I don't mind the location, I don't think I'd get one placed in my arm.

 

[JustDucky]

I access my port, have done so since my first needle change years ago....I was a RN, so I was comfortable doing this, it is also important that I maintain the ability to do it myself. I don't have to rely on a home health nurse to come out and access it, when the doc gives the go ahead to do IV's, I access and go. This decision to start IV's has been given to me at varying times of the day, the latest being 9 pm. I was able to avoid any delays in my treatment by starting IV's immediately (I also have a stock pile of the most commonly prescribed IV antibiotics at home that I reconstitute when needed.....I use my part D medicare insurance for this, otherwise I have to go inpatient, often for lengthy periods of time)

As far as your new procedure, sounds great....but I would prefer it in my chest because accessing it is so important to me.

Jenn 40 wCF

 

[JustDucky]

I access my port, have done so since my first needle change years ago....I was a RN, so I was comfortable doing this, it is also important that I maintain the ability to do it myself. I don't have to rely on a home health nurse to come out and access it, when the doc gives the go ahead to do IV's, I access and go. This decision to start IV's has been given to me at varying times of the day, the latest being 9 pm. I was able to avoid any delays in my treatment by starting IV's immediately (I also have a stock pile of the most commonly prescribed IV antibiotics at home that I reconstitute when needed.....I use my part D medicare insurance for this, otherwise I have to go inpatient, often for lengthy periods of time)

As far as your new procedure, sounds great....but I would prefer it in my chest because accessing it is so important to me.

Jenn 40 wCF

 

[beleache]

Not important to me since I dont have any plans to access it myself. I do however de-access myself... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

Not important to me since I dont have any plans to access it myself. I do however de-access myself... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[windex125]

I have my port 10yrs now and have never accessed it myself, and do not want to, a nurse comes once a month to flush if I am not using it for IV's mine is in my right chest area, below the colar bone very, very, comfortable. Pat-57/CF

 

[windex125]

I have my port 10yrs now and have never accessed it myself, and do not want to, a nurse comes once a month to flush if I am not using it for IV's mine is in my right chest area, below the colar bone very, very, comfortable. Pat-57/CF

 

[LouLou]

After about a year with a port, I eventually wanted to learn how to access it myself so that I could do a complete home hospitalization independently of any nurse. I also can do the flushes when I feel like it. I don't care about the look of it on my chest. I think by the time a person needs a port with cf they are past the vanity as their disease is probably showing in other ways.

 

[LouLou]

After about a year with a port, I eventually wanted to learn how to access it myself so that I could do a complete home hospitalization independently of any nurse. I also can do the flushes when I feel like it. I don't care about the look of it on my chest. I think by the time a person needs a port with cf they are past the vanity as their disease is probably showing in other ways.

 

[PortDoc]

Thanks to everyone for your input, it is very helpful. Seems like the majority of you do not self access.

 

[PortDoc]

Thanks to everyone for your input, it is very helpful. Seems like the majority of you do not self access.