When obtaining blood cultures from a previously accessed mediport, do you need to re-access with a new huber needle prior to obtaining the cultures? I thought re-accessing would be correct as you would want not want any contaminents from the huber needle but from the mediport itself.
Any thougths or experiences?
I am fairly certain there is no evidence to guide this decision. So it would be one that your practice council has to make. Pros and cons to both ways. Chances are high that the infecting organisms came from the port access procedure or the infusions through the port needle, so obtaining through the existing needle would be my preference.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thank you so much. I appreciate your expert opinion.
michell Leper