Training patients to administer total parenteral nutrition via subcutaneous infusion ports

Training in the use of subcutaneous infusion ports for home parenteral nutrition was provided to 17 adult patients and the parents of three young patients. Areas of training included accessing and disconnecting the port, caring for the port, application of sterile dressing techniques, and instruction in other home parenteral nutrition techniques (ie, pump, tubing, and solution use). Patients were required to access the port successfully on three occasions before discharge from the hospital. Twelve of the 20 patients were judged capable of independent port care. None of the patients was readmitted for training-related problems.