Evaluation of SURECATH access device.

Since the development of the implanted port in the early 1980s, nurses have become very comfortable with the use of non-coring needles to access these devices. The SURECATH port-accessing device replaces the non-coring needle with a flexible Teflon catheter. An initial assessment of 10 patients accessed with the SURECATH device indicated a greater degree of patient comfort while accessed as compared with the non-coring needle. In addition, nursing staff reported increased ease in accessing the implanted port with the SURECATH device. The SURECATH port-accessing device gives nurses an attractive alternative to the non-coring needle when accessing implanted ports.