Evaluation of a device to improve non-coring needle insertion into implanted intravenous ports.

Implanted intravenous ports (IPs) are increasingly used in health care. The experience of having IPs accessed can vary a great deal for patients. Successful IP access depends on the experience and skill of the health professional and wrongly positioned attempts are not only painful for the patient but can also cause damage to the outer casing of the IP. The more skin punctures made over the port, the higher the risk of infection in the subcutaneous tissue. The Portacator is a sterile, single-use product that sits on the skin over the IP insertion site. Its purpose is to enable the successful insertion of a non-coring needle into the centre of the IP. The device's efficacy was investigated using a port test rig and by conducting a clinical evaluation in two hospital units that support patients with IPs who require regular IV therapy infusions for long-term illness. The device provides an easy reference for central non-coring needle insertion, and users were able to insert the needle closer to the port chamber centre when using the device as only two fingers are used to hold it in place, which gave them a less obstructed view of the site. The device improved the rates of first-time IP puncture success with a non-coring needle. Patient satisfaction increased as they were more confident insertion would be successful first time so they would experience less pain. Nurses felt better supported and more confident they could achieve success at their first attempt at IP access using the device.