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  • 1.  MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-14-2022 15:18
    AAACN community,
    This is directed to any IV outpatient ambulatory sites: Do you have MA's that access implanted ports? If so what type of education do you provide? If you do have MA's access ports are you willing to share your education program? Thank you so much!

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    Holly Davis
    Frederick Health Medical Group
    Frederick MD
    (301)639-5702
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  • 2.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-15-2022 00:32
    HI Holly.
    In our infusion center, the MAs are not allowed to access port. Don't think it's in their scope here in California.

    Best,
    Rhea

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    Rhea Marquez
    RN
    Sutter Health
    Union CIty CA
    (510)552-6710
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-18-2022 10:27

    At the VA our LPNs can't access ports either. Only an RN can access ports definitely not Medical Assistants.




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-19-2022 06:53
    Hi, Holly!

    MAs are not allowed to access implanted ports at our institution.  Actually, only RNs are allowed, with the exception of our Georgia Cancer Center.  There, the LPN can access a port after special training and a compentency checkoff.  MAs are restricted to administration of vaccines and medication IM/SQ.  Hope this helps.

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    Patricia Parrish-Deese, MSN, RN, NE-BC
    Ambulatory Nurse Manager - Quality and Safety
    Augusta University Medical Center
    Augusta, Georgia
    706-829-3863
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-19-2022 08:23
    Hi Holly,

    This is only within the scope of the RN in our organization. We do not have our MAs or LPNs perform this task. MA scope of practice varies from state to state, but I would have concerns about the assessment and critical thinking required before access being completed by an MA.

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    Brandy Williamson BSN RN CPN
    Ambulatory Nursing Manager
    Children's Healthcare-Atlanta
    Atlanta GA
    (404)785-8978
    brandy.williamson@choa.org
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-20-2022 08:10
    Our organization only allows RNs or higher to access or deaccess an implanted port, and LPNs may use or perform maintenance (dressing changes, cap changes, etc...) on them. Ambulatory CT techs who have been competency validated by a provider may also access a port or PICC line for use with a power injector.

    There is a program nearby that does provide training on how to access ports, but I have not explored the program and what their training involves since it is out of scope for our team. We do have some clinics that are far away from their closest hospital and it is beneficial for our patients to be able to have their port accessed for labs or routine flushes instead of the patient having to travel.

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    Andrea Kelly MSN,RN,NPD-BC
    Director, Population Health
    Vidant Medical Group
    Greenville NC
    (252)847-3930
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: MA access to implanted ports

    Posted 07-21-2022 11:43
    As a CRNI (Certified Registered Nurse Infusion), I was trained that it was done only by an RN that was trained, observed, and showed competence in accessing ports. But would also like to share that per the Infusion Nurse Society Standards of Practice 2021: ". Insertion and removal of vascular access devices (VADs) are performed by providers/clinicians within the boundaries of their identified scope of practice, based on their licensure, upon documented competency, and in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines."
    doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000396

    Barbara Kelly, MSN-Ed, CRNI


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    Barbara Kelly RN
    Veteran's Health Administration
    Las Vegas NV
    (951)795-1312
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    Original Message


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