Equipment
  • Hospital grade surface disinfectant wipe (ie: Caviwipe®)
  • 2% Chlorhexidine and 70% alcohol swab stick
  • Dressing tray
  • Mask and sterile gloves
  • 10 mL sterile pre-filled normal saline syringes x 2*
  • Needleless connector* (Neutron cap)
  • Sterile gauze 2x2” (omit if line is to be infusing)
  • Band-aid (omit if accessing port)
  • Dressing if required*
  • 90° Huber needle of appropriate size with extension tubing

NOTE: a #22 gauge, ¾” Huber needle is the most common size used. Other gauges and needle
lengths may be needed depending on the child’s weight and thickness of subcutaneous tissue. A #19 gauge is recommended for bone marrow infusion via an implanted port
NOTE: If accessing a double lumen implanted port, double quantities for *

BCCH Hematology/Oncology-CNE. ACCESSING, DRESSING AND DE-ACCESSING AN IMPLANTED PORT [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://shop.healthcarebc.ca/phsa/BCWH_2/BC%20Children%27s%20Hospital/C-05-12-60456.pdf 

Accessing, Dressing and De-accessing an implanted port
  1. PERFORM hand hygiene as per infection control standards and ASSESS location of port to be
    accessed, noting any redness or drainage
  2. ASSESS appropriate Huber needle size based on septum location and patient size (patient/caregiver member may be aware of their usual needle gauge and length)
  3. CLEAN work surface with hospital grade surface disinfectant wipe (e.g. CaviWipes®) and let dry for recommended contact time
  4. PERFORM hand hygiene as per infection control standards
  5. DON MASK and PREPARE equipment using aseptic no-touch technique. Add sterile supplies to tray as required. Place all other “non-sterile” items on a separate clean surface (i.e. pre-filled heparin syringe, blood tubes)
  6. If patient has topical anesthetic, REMOVE any excess from the port site. PERFORM hand hygiene
  7. Don sterile GLOVES
  8. ATTACH sterile pre-filled normal saline syringe to needleless connector. ATTACH needleless connector to Huber needle extension tubing. PRIME Huber needle and tubing to expel all air and CLAMP. PLACE on sterile tray
  9. PLACE sterile drape below the port access area
  10. CLEAN skin over port with the swab stick using a back-and-forth motion with light friction for 15 seconds. FLIP the swab stick and moving in opposite direction, CLEAN skin using a back-and-forth motion with light friction over the site for another 15 seconds
  11. ALLOW chlorhexidine/alcohol solution to air dry for at least 1 minute or for 3 minutes if using swab sticks without alcohol
  12. REMOVE the safety cover of the needle. With your non-dominant hand, STABILIZE the port with thumb and 2 fingers
  13. With other hand, grasp the wings of the needle and INSERT Huber needle at a 90°, through the skin into the septum of the port until the needle contacts the base of the port. Do not twist or rock needle once inserted as this may cause coring to the septum
  14. UNCLAMP extension tubing and withdraw until blood return is seen. If blood sampling is to be
    done proceed with sampling procedure Vacutainer Method or Syringe Method
  15. FLUSH the port with appropriate volume using a turbulent flush
  16. OBSERVE for swelling around the device. If swelling and/or resistance is encountered STOP flushing, REMOVE needle and RESTART
  17. CLAMP extension tubing. 
  18. If continuing with infusion, APPLY dressing over entire access site; REMOVE normal saline
    syringe and CONNECT to new IV tubing, UNCLAMP extension tubing, TURN on infusion
    pump; SECURE the tubing to clothes using tape tab and safety pin.

Video on How to Access a Port:

Remote video URL

Accessing a Port by P. Dockx | OPENPediatrics [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://youtu.be/m8rcsNMHw7w?si=EDKs9zJAhh4RNWp2.