Have a pt with hemochromotosis who has exhausted peripheral access with frequent phlebotomy. She had a porta-cath placed and now expects this to be used for phlebotomy. We have no protocol on this and the manufacturer of the port said they do not have any indication for such use. Is anybody else using a port for phlebotomy and if so how are you doing it and do you have a protocol for such a thing?
 Help!!
We have done this, but it is labor intensive compared to a peripheral IV using gravity as your friend, during the phlebotomy. It is one on one at the point of therapeutic phlebotomy as most are, but seems to take longer via a port. I am always concerned about port occlusion and carefully assess the situation throughout the phlebotomy. We don't have a policy specifically for a port and therapeutic phlebotomy, but have done it and manually withdrawn blood with multiple large syringes to withdraw the amount equivalent to a unit.
Not sure that answers your question, but hope it helps in some way.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas