Can we access Chemo ports during an admission? BLUF is Yes!

I have been receiving some messages from Heme/Onc and 5E nursing regarding accessing ports while a patient is inpatient. I am being told both IM and GenSurg have been telling nursing they cannot access these ports, which is NOT true.

Chemo ports CAN be accessed/de-accessed for blood draws, IV fluids, IV abx, etc. while a patient is admitted.

This might be getting confused with tunneled dialysis catheters, which are NOT to be used for these same purposes. It is tunneled dialysis catheters that should only be used for dialysis.

If there is a doubt about a port being accessed, you can always reach out to the Heme/Onc duty phone on a case-by-case basis to confirm.