Nursing Care for Children with Implantable Venous Access Devices

Abstract

         Child patients with cancer have to undergo invasive procedures which are painful. As a result, they can suffer from many invasive procedures throughout the day. In order to help decrease the pain, complications from leakage of chemotherapy, and the benefits in the long term use of the devices in patients, an implantable venous access device/Port-A-Cath was introduced.

            However, there are complications involving the use of the device, such as infections, blood or air embolism, leakage of medication, slipping of Part-A-Cath. Therefore, nurses play a key role in assessing the function of Port-A-Cath, conducting close observation for assessing complications and providing nursing care, as well as providing information for continuing care at home. This article will present the nursing role in caring for children with implantable venous access devices.