How to deaccess a port?

Deaccessing a port is similar to saying goodbye to your in-laws after an extended visit. Relief, elation, and bittersweet emotions will overtake you as the catheter that has been feeding valuable chemo or blood products for months, unplugs from your body like pulling out of their driveway.

This article provides simple yet humorous steps on how to deaccess a port without causing any harm to yourself, “achieve joyful tears,” I quote my mom.

Step 1: Confidently remove clear dressing

Removing dressings should be stress-free; just stay calm and gently place two fingers above the pad while peeling off. You may feel tempted to rip open the bandage like an Amazon package (we’ve all been there), but take it easy mate! Take deep breaths; hold it…and slowly release it – in fact keep doing this throughout this process!

Step 2: Wash Your Hands Thoroughly

Your hand washing game needs some attention before going further into handling any medical device or intravenous tubing system such as accessing or de-accessing ports. To avoid contaminating yourself or developing unwanted infections because we are not messing with Covid today (Psstt.. do not forget about washing hands whenever possible).

Aim for at least twenty seconds while vigorously scrubbing away germs- yes pretend one time you are battling Lord Voldemort himself! Level up by humming along with Happy Birthday twice through.

Step 3: Remove Needle by Putting Pressure on Site

Next step is upon us friends!, take note of this critical detail as if every centimeter matters while cutting a precious metal bar inscribed with your missing friend’s name (yes again straight-faced humor). Placing pressure proximal and distal sides of insertion site best prevents bleeding during removal.

Like Life taught us even with Ports, “the end is just the beginning”; There might be a little blood; trust me, it’s normal. If you observe any severe bleeding, seek prompt medical attention ASAP.

Step 4: Cover With Pressure Pad

Like that big finale in every bachelor season (our guilty pleasure), we have come to the last step! Make sure your port site is clean by wiping off with an alcohol swab and using sterile gauze.

Assuming all goes well at this point – pat yourself on the back for such bravery and resilience! A hero like you indeed deserves a good night’s sleep knowing things are okay!

Hope you found these steps as delightful as Ross referred Rachel on Friends with his unique North Dakota joke!. Practice always yields better results so grab your tools and let’s ace this de-accessing mission. Stay safe until our next article together when we teach about applying mobile EKG machines- All by Yourself seamlessly!


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