Indications
a. To administer necessary pre-hospital medications or establish a “lifeline” access in a patient likely to deteriorate enroute.
i. If no need to administer medications or IV fluids enroute, the port should not be accessed.
Contraindications
a. When an adequate peripheral IV can be obtained
b. In the presence of apparent infection in area of port i.e. erythema, drainage, etc.
Preparation
a. Assemble needed supplies
b. Clean insertion site with antibacterial solution
c. Protect site from possible contamination
d. Don sterile gloves for insertion
e. Attach syringe with saline to Huber needle
Insertion of Huber needle
a. While anchoring port with non-dominant fingers, push Huber needle through port until needle touches bottom of port
b. Aspirate small amount of blood to assess patency
c. Inject saline to clear port
Attach Huber needle/tubing to IV normal saline at desired rate
Anchor needle in place
Administer medication/IV fluids as per protocol