Water on accessed port

[Jeana]

So, I went to take a shower. I put a plastic bag with tape over my accessed port. During my shower, it leaked and then my tagaderm got water in it. So, we took off everything, my husband wiped it all down with alcohol, we flushed it and removed the needle. When I told my doctor about it, he said we should not have flushed it and just removed the needle. He said now I could have infection breeding in my port which could be septic! What?! Now he says my next 2 flushes I have to stay for 2 hours after to watch me. Has anyone experienced this? Is it really that dangerous to get it wet and then flush it?

 

[JustDucky]

No..never experienced that as far as what your doc is doing...I have gotten my dressing wet, changed it out as well as the end caps and then flush, no one has ever mentioned that sepsis would be a problem. Sounds like your husband did a good job with the alcohol etc......did the end of the line actually get wet? I am wondering that if it did and you flushed it, then some bacteria could get in that way.. I don't know though. Maybe your doc is just being super cautious. I would think that if you were going to get septic, you would have some symptoms....I know I did. If you get high fevers, feel fluish with persistent low grade temps, call the doc right away..

Jenn 40 wCF

 

[Jana]

I've also gotten my dressing wet before with no such drama. I wipe it all down really well with alcohol as you did and replace the dressing. It's actually happened to me several times--it's a hard area to cover effectively!--and there have never been any bad results.