Using a port to avoid needlesticks

An interventional radiologist at Good Shepherd Hospital may use a tube, called a central venous access catheter, to allow better access to the blood stream. Inserted beneath the skin, the port reduces the need for repeated needle sticks.

Medications or nutrients can be sent directly into the blood stream or gastrointestinal system and blood can be drawn more readily. Some examples include an arm port, chest port, PICC line, dialysis catheters.

Physicians often recommend an access catheter for patients who regularly have:

• chemotherapy treatments
• infusions of antibiotics or other medications
• nutritional supplements
• hemodialysis