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Pre-operative awareness for children with implantable ports
1Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Alder Hey.
Insights
Children with cystic fibrosis often use Portacath devices for easier venous access. Many families desire more information about these implantable ports, suggesting a need for better educational resources.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Medical Devices
- Patient Education
Background:
- Implantable central venous access devices (CVADs), such as Portacath, are increasingly utilized for improved venous access.
- Portacaths offer advantages over peripheral cannulation, including quicker access and reduced patient trauma.
- Children with cystic fibrosis have shown significant benefit from the use of Portacath devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the information needs of children with cystic fibrosis and their families regarding implantable Portacath devices.
- To identify gaps in current patient education strategies for Portacath users in this population.
Main Methods:
- A study involving twenty-six children with cystic fibrosis and their families who had an implantable Portacath fitted.
- Data collection focused on assessing existing written information and family-reported information desires.
Main Results:
- Nineteen out of twenty-six families reported receiving no written information about their Portacath.
- Seventeen families expressed a desire for additional information concerning the Portacath device.
Conclusions:
- A significant lack of written information exists for families of children with cystic fibrosis using Portacaths.
- There is a clear need for enhanced educational materials, with a book suggested as a suitable format to supplement existing strategies.
Abstract:
Implantable central venous access devices CVADs have increased in their use. A Portacath makes venous access quicker and reduces the trauma associated with siting a peripheral cannula. Children with cystic fibrosis have benefited from the use of the Portacath. This study explored the information requirements of twenty six children with cystic fibrosis, and their families who already had an implantable port fitted. Nineteen families had received no written information relating to having a Portacath and seventeen wanted more information. The development of a book was thought appropriate to compliment the other educational strategies already in use.