My first question is concerning using 24 gauge angio catheter to administer chemotherapy, when patient has poor venous access. Is anyone doing this as standard practice? I am in a new position and our physicians are reluctant to have implanted ports or central lines place. Commonly we avoid giving vesicant thru 24 gauge catheters but occasionally it is the only access we have available.
See my comment on "Infusing Vesicants" on the forum. I explain this there.
Heather
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
My question is why are your physicians reluctant to place ports in patients? I guess it is not there veins being destroyed. I agree with Lynn they need educated and if that doesn't work, then you need to educate the patients to start asking for ports and refuse treatments unless they get a port if that is the only way these docs will wake up. Doctors will listen to patients and patients are savy about these things now so maybe patient education is the way to go. I usually tell patients in my Cancer Support Group to ask for a port the very first round of chemo, particularly if they are young. You need to preserve your vessels for the rest of your life.
Patty
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861