From the Guidelines
A blood draw from a chemo port is a safe and effective method for obtaining blood samples from patients with implanted ports, and it should be performed by a trained healthcare professional using sterile technique, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The procedure involves cleaning the area over the port with chlorhexidine or alcohol, then inserting a special non-coring needle (Huber needle) through the skin into the port's septum. After confirming proper placement by aspirating a small amount of blood, the required blood samples can be collected into appropriate tubes. Some key points to consider when performing a blood draw from a chemo port include:
- Using sterile technique to minimize the risk of infection, as emphasized in the guidelines 1
- Flushing the port with 10-20 mL of normal saline followed by 5 mL of heparin solution (typically 100 units/mL) to prevent clotting, as recommended by the guidelines 1
- Monitoring patients for signs of complications, such as pain, swelling, or redness at the port site, as noted in the studies 1 The advantages of using a chemo port for blood draws include preserving peripheral veins, reducing patient discomfort from repeated venipunctures, and providing reliable access for patients receiving frequent treatments. Additionally, the port's central location allows for collection of high-quality samples that are less likely to be hemolyzed compared to difficult peripheral draws, as noted in the studies 1. Overall, the use of chemo ports for blood draws is a safe and effective method that can improve patient outcomes and reduce complications, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
From the Research
Blood Draw from Chemo Port
- Blood draws from a chemo port are a common procedure in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and proper antiseptic techniques are crucial to prevent central venous catheter-related infections 2, 3, 4.
- The use of 1% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% alcohol (CH) has been shown to be effective in reducing catheter-related infections compared to povidone-iodine (PI) 2.
- A study found that CH significantly alleviated infectious complications, with no cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) occurring in the CH group 2.
- Another study compared the use of 1% chlorhexidine ethanol and 70% ethanol for sterilization of central venous ports and found that both agents had similar outcomes in terms of infection rates 3.
- The use of chlorhexidine for skin disinfection before accessing a totally implantable venous port has been shown to prevent bloodstream infection associated with the port, particularly those caused by Gram-positive bacteria 4.
- Proper education on the use of ports and non-coring needles is essential to increase their longevity and prevent complications 5.
- Antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone-iodine can be used for pre-operative skin antisepsis to prevent port-site infection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy 6.