Receiving Helpdesk

can you draw blood from portacath

by Heidi Barton MD Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Yes, blood can be drawn from a portacath, but some studies such as coags, medication peaks and troughs, and chem studies in a patient receiving TPN should be drawn peripherally because the results can be inaccurate when drawn through the portacath.

2. Blood draws via implanted ports may be performed by RNs trained in implanted port care. 3. This procedure shall be done using sterile technique and a non-coring needle.

Full Answer

Can a phlebotomist draw blood from Portacath?

Yes, blood can be drawn from a portacath, but some studies such as coags, medication peaks and troughs, and chem studies in a patient receiving TPN should be drawn peripherally because the results can be inaccurate when drawn through the portacath. Also, in the state where I practice, phlebotomists may not access central lines.

Can they draw blood through a port?

I thought that one of the benefits of having a port is that they can draw blood through it. I know that it's not a big deal, but I'd like to have them do things the most comfortable way possible. Does anyone think it makes a difference either way? Welcome! It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Can home health nurse draw blood from a vein instead of Port?

I had blood drawn last Friday and the home health nurse drew blood from a vein in my arm instead of through my port--she said that she could draw blood either way, but that the needle used to draw blood from my arm is smaller than the one she'd use to access my port, and it would actually be more comfortable for me to have blood drawn from my arm.

How do you flush a port in a blood draw?

0.9% sodium chloride (USP) is to be used to flush the system before and after drawing blood. A new needleless device shall be placed on the non-coring needle extension tubing if the port is to remain accessed after the blood draw.

How do you draw blood from port a cath?

Here's how:Flush the catheter.Using the same syringe, pull to aspirate 6 ml of blood into the syringe. ... Repeat the aspiration and reinfusion at least three times.Remove and discard the used syringe and attach a new syringe to draw the sample for the lab.More items...

Can you draw blood from an IV port?

A. Blood samples should NOT be drawn during IV starts or from established IV catheters except for patients on thrombolytics (to reduce number of sticks), or in an emergency.

Can you draw PTT from port?

Every effort should be made by all disciplines to communicate the following to patients with implanted ports: a. Although bloods can be drawn via an implanted port, there may be times when: i. a peripheral blood draw is required (e.g. certain labs, such as PTTs) ii. it is not feasible for the nurse/clinic to do so.

Can you draw blood from a port?

Yes, blood is drawn from a port the same way you'd draw off any other central line (PICC, Hickman, etc). Ports are often inserted specifically on patients whose veins are horrible (extended treatment, poor circulation, etc) so that they don't have to be constantly stuck for blood and IV purposes. You're telling me this patient has a port and it isn't being used for blood draws? On the floor I came from, that'd be inexcusable.

Can you draw a lab off a central line?

As Stargazer touched on, the real point here is making sure you're working within your facility's policies. Some facilities will allow you to draw any kind of lab off a central line--and why not? As long as you've drawn off your waste amount and ensured that you've stopped the infusion for 5-10 minutes, a central line gives you direct access to central venous blood. It doesn't get much more prime.

Should labs be drawn off ports?

Labs should not be routinely drawn off ports. There are established protocols to follow. Read the evidence ( ebp??) regarding this. The more times a port is accessed, the higher the chances of getting infected. Central line assoc blood stream infections are serious. Hate to think a pt could get one because someone couldnt or didnt draw blood peripherally

Is it normal to draw blood peripherally?

So yes, it is totally reasonable that this person is having their blood drawn peripherally. Even if an RN came out to the house to do port maintenance, they would still draw chem studies peripherally in this patient, for the reason I stated above.

Can you remove Huber needle from a port?

Ports have a similar risk of infection to any other central line. The nice thing about a Port is that you can remove the Huber needle and the site heals, so you don't have the hassle and infection risk of a PICC line for example where you have a catheter sticking out of the patient's arm at all times.

Can you draw labs from a CVAD?

It is really a risk versus benefit question and should be a patient specific decision. You can draw most labs from a CVAD of any kind if your technique is good but avoid coagulation studies from heparinised CVADs, Drug levels if that drug is being infused through the lumen

Why Doesn't My Clinic Do My Blood Draw Through a Port?

Although it's convenient to use the port for labs, there are times you may need a venipuncture (blood drawn from the arm) instead. Here are some reasons your bloodwork may not be done through your port:

What is a port in a vein?

What Is a Port? A port is a small plastic or metal drum that has a soft, flexible tube. This tube, also called a line, is what goes through a large vein in your neck. 1  The drum has a silicone top through which special needles can easily be inserted without the pain and the uncertainty of a vein puncture. Ports are surgically placed ...

How Is the Port Used?

Before the port is accessed (punctured), a nurse will clean the skin above and around the port site. Cleaning the skin with an alcohol solution helps decrease infections. 5

What is the benefit of a port?

The benefit of a port is that your nurse does not have to keep puncturing the veins in your body during every chemotherapy infusion. The port permanently accesses a large vein in your neck, until it's removed.

Do you need a doctor's order for a blood draw?

Some clinics and hospitals require a doctor's order authorizing the use of a port for a blood draw. There are clinical guidelines in place for managing and using infusion ports -- those guidelines are in place to guard your health and ensure accurate results when your port is used.

Can you get a port for chemo?

Whether or not you get a port for your chemotherapy depends on a number of factors including how long your treatment will be, the number of chemotherapy agents you need to get at once, cost, and your doctor's input.

Can a port be contaminated?

Ports can contain substances other than blood. A contaminated blood draw may result in an inaccurate laboratory result. Because a port is sort of a way-station on the subway line of your circulation system, a certain amount of non-blood substances can remain in the silicone balloon or perhaps in the catheter line.

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