posted
It has been my experience as a former nurse, that a portacath had a regular cleansing schedule of the site with a substance such as povidine iodine and then alcohol cleansing afterward. Then applying a clear non occlusive dressing such as Tegaderm to cover/ protect the site from possible infection/ protection.
Perhaps, a board member that has recently had a port a cath can answer for a more current protocol. You also can ask your physician, hospital or who will be your infusion company for the current policy to help answer your questions and help you reach a decision.
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
when the port is accessed (has a needle in it), it was covered with tegaderm (or some such product). when it was not accessed, it was not covered. your skin completely covers the port itself. you can take a shower without worry when the port is not accessed.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Hi a port might be a good option for your daughter. As dura said when the port is accesed there is a barrier over it. I like Iv3000 instead of tegaderm..I have an allergic reaction to tegaderm. Whe the port is de-accessed, she can shower, swim or whatever without difficulty.
I have learned to access and de-access my port myself, giving me more independance. While your daughter may not be capable of doing such, you may learn to do it for her.
Aslo check out the section in newbie section abt port-a -caths.
I wish you both well!
Posts: 663 | From NH USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
duramater said it well. When the port is accessed with a needle, a dressing is place over it and generally stays there for a week before being de-accessed (needle removed) and re-accessed with a new dressing. When it's de-accessed, you don't have to put anything over it.
Here's a good previous thread about ports - Port-a-Cath. Hope that helps! Feel free to e-mail or PM me if you have specific questions that I might be able to answer (I've had my port for almost 2 years now and really love it).
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