Getting a port flush at a different hospital?

[Lochawe]

hi there,

Waiting for my scheduling team to get back to me but just wondering if anyone has had a port/line flush at a hospital in another part of the country than their normal hospital? Or another country for that matter!

I am due a port flush next week in england but in scotland atm with my father who is very unwell so am wondering if incan get it done here rather than flying back down and then back again?!

anyone out there know? 🙂

[Skyeplus]

I don’t know the answer but I was told that if I was away, I could go slightly longer than the weekly flush, I.E. 10 days. I would phone your specialist nurse and ask if you can delay it. If you can problem solved. Hope you get sorted x

[Lochawe in reply to Skyeplus]

Thanks! Waiting to hear from them👍

[lesleysage]

My immediate thoughts were to find the Maggies Centre closest to your father's location? We have one here in Inverness and I know there are many others across Scotland.

Warm wishes. x

[Lochawe in reply to lesleysage]

Thanks lesley we have one in glasgow so i will contact them👍

[Numi]

Sorry to hear your father is ill. I don't know about getting a flush done in a different hospital, but I was told that a portacath doesn't need very frequent flushing and can be left up 6 weeks or more. I think the senior nurse at my chemo unit said as long as 10 weeks according to new guidelines! I was having mine done monthly, then 6 weekly before I had to go back on chemo recently.

[Leniko in reply to Numi]

Yes, where a port-trained nurse is available. Every 6-8 weeks

[delia2]

I’m in the States and I get mine flushed every twelve weeks. It started at six weeks and then with Covid they stretched it out. I go to a top cancer center. So I wouldn’t worry.

[Lochawe in reply to delia2]

Thanks delia, have stopped panicking now 😁

[Betti99]

No one ever told me I needed to get mine flushed- I went 2 years! I now get flushed every 8 weeks- I do know you would need an order from your Dr.

[Leniko in reply to Betti99]

That’s negligent of your doctors!!

[Betti99 in reply to Leniko]

I think the Dr thought the infusion people told me to get it flushed and the infusion people thought the Dr told me- not really sure who to blame. Thankfully the port was clear the first time it was flushed!

[Hidden]

The NHS guidance on port flushing has recently changed to 12 weeks off the back of a study which looked at this

[Lochawe in reply to Hidden]

Great to know thank you