Can anyone speak to the advantages of each--port vs PICC line--if the patient is to have IV Rocephin 5-7 days per week (for an unknown period of time but at least 2 months)? For our family member, this will require infusion in a clinic setting, not at home, to get insurance coverage.
Is there discomfort with the needle change in the port? Does this outweigh the dicomfort of having blood drawn weekly (I know the port means you can draw blood there rather than having an additional blood stick. Our family member has difficult veins, making labrwork--sticks in the arm--a real problem, usually.
Any help with these questions will be so appreciated!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi Rodenham.
Regarding the port-catheter, if infusions are done daily the needle stays in for one week and is then changed. The needle needs to be in to infuse meds. When the needle is in you cannot get the site wet. Some people do infusions five days a week and take two days off. On the days off, the needle is completely out and it is okay to get the site wet. The needle needs to be changed once a week by a medical professional. Depending on the experience of this person (often a nurse), this can be painful. A numbing cream can be put on the area before-hand. It is usually a pretty quick stick, but it can be felt. A port-catheter needs to be surgically placed but it can be removed in a doctor's office.
A PICC line can be inserted at a doctor's office or in an out-patient facility. It usually only takes a few minutes. The line is threaded up in the arm and an X-ray is taken to ensure it is in the proper place. Likely the PICC is less expensive, it is easier to place.
Which medication will be infused? Some meds, like IV Doxy, can be caustic to the vein and are better infused through a port. If this is not the case, the PICC may be easier. Although technically blood can be drawn from either site, it is my understanding that it is better not to.
With any IV line, it is very important that the site remain clean and dry at all times. An infection in the line can be deadly. If ever there is any redness or any question about how the site looks, call your doctor or nurse immediately.
There are covers you can get for the PICC and the port so you can shower without getting the site wet. The one for the port is called Aqua Guard Moisture Barrier. It is a plastic square with adhesive that goes over the needle and surrounding area. The tape is really sticky and it can smart when you remove it but it is quick like when you pull off a band-aid.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Rodenham, it looks like your question posted a few times. I am bumping this up so you see my response.
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sammi: A port-catheter needs to be surgically placed but it can be removed in a doctor's office.
That's not correct. Ports are placed surgically and must be removed surgically because they are completely under the skin so it's not as easy to have it removed as with a PICC line or tunnelled central line (Hickman, Groshong, Broviac). But both the placement and the removal are fairly simple, quick procedures (my placement took 20 minutes in surgery with about an hour before and after).
Peace and healing, Annie
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi Annie. I had a port-catheter. It was surgically placed and easily removed in the doctor's office.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi Rodenham. You have duplicate posts with responses to the other too so I copied and pasted the links so you could see them all:
Sorry, I guess it can be removed in a doctor's office I've just never heard of that being done since an incision has to be made and it technically is minor surgery. Everyone I know who has or has had one has always had it placed and removed with surgery and that's what all the information I've read has said. So it just may not be that common for it to be removed in a doctor's office but I guess some doctors do it that way.
Peace and healing, Annie
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi Annie. It was easy having it removed at the office and much better than having to go under again. I think the placement of it is more difficult and time consuming than the removal.
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