Portcath flushing

[Iwillbeatit]

I am currently in lockdown in Spain for 15 days due to Covid 19. Was due home on 23 March. But fear could be here a lot longer.I have a portacath which was flushed the day I left home so not due till mid April. But worrying if lockdown goes beyond 15 days and 2 April when I have moved my flight to come home. Does anyone know anything about getting it flushed in Spain who should I contact. I realise I have to pay. But it's knowing where to start.

[Hidden]

I am sorry to hear you are in such a predicament, are you in a hotel? If yes go and talk to your hotel reception and ask to see the hotel doctor, he can refer you to a hospital if necessary.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card it may cover the procedure, I think there is a telephone number on the card for assistance. Your travel insurance should also cover it, you may have to pay and then claim it back when you return home.

If all else fails ring the British Embassy and ask for advice

British Embassy Madrid

Torre Espacio

Paseo de la Castellana 259D

28046 Madrid

Spain

Telephone

[phone]

Fax

[phone]

Good Luck x

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lyn for the information. I am not in a hotel but in an apartment with my husband. I will try to ask local gp for advice first and then hospital then will try ehic no and if no embassy.

Thank you be safe.

[January-2016-UK]

Hello

My port-a-cath should have been flushed just over two weeks ago but because of the viral outbreak I’ve not wanted to travel to London to have it done. I found this

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/163... on-line and since I need to see my oncologist on 31st March, so I must travel then decided I’ll get it done then. I have to stress that I haven’t checked with anyone whether it’s wise to wait just over a month but I rather thought I’d know if I had an infection. If you cannot get yours flushed in Spain maybe this report may give you solace.

I cannot get mine flushed down here as they use PICC lines. Normally I’d quite enjoy a reason to travel up to London but not at the moment. I remember reading a similar positive report about delaying flushing when I accidentally went home with the needle still in, and was looking for info on that scenario but I cannot now find that particular report.

I’ll let you know how I get on although a case study of one may not be that meaningful.

All the best with your lockdown.

[Iwillbeatit in reply to January-2016-UK]

Thank you be safex