Patients’ experience with implantable ports and peripheral lines: Experience of The Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC)

 

Brian R ECLARINAL, Arlette P VALDEZ, Patricia B UNGOS, Muhammad Fahmy HJ LAKIM, John Gil Vher PARAGO

The Brunei Cancer Centre, Brunei Darussalam

 

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Chemotherapy is a treatment aimed to cure, control or palliate symptoms of cancer. Patients undergoing this treatment require several cannulations of the vein or central venous port to establish intravenous access. Accessing intravenous sites is perceived as painful and an uncomfortable procedure by patients. Patient’s mobility and safety can be affected during the treatment. This research aims to describe the experiences of patients with implantable ports and peripheral line during chemotherapy in terms of pain experience, mobility, and safety. Materials and Methods: Using survey methods, patients undergoing chemotherapy for the period March 2012 to December 2012 were selected as respondents for this study. Results: Fifty patients participated in the study. Respondents reported tolerable amount of pain during these instances: insertion (72%) and removal of gripper needle or intravenous cannula (58%) and during infusion of chemotherapy (46%). In terms of mobility, fewer restrictions were encountered during chemotherapy session while taking meal (62%), moving to/from bed (78%), sleeping (74%), going to toilet (74%), reading (86%), and using the phone (90%). Generally, there is a perception of feeling safe from untoward events that might occur during the treatment and these include dislodgment of IV access (58%), leakage of chemotherapy drug to skin or surrounding tissue (64%) and acquisition of infection during IV access (72%). Conclusion: Patients undergoing chemotherapy had satisfactory experience as evidenced by tolerable pain experience, less restriction in physical activities during the treatment, and perceived safety from risks associated with IV or catheter dislodgment, chemotherapy leak, and infection.

 

Keywords: Chemotherapy, pain perceptions, mobility limitations, safety, vascular access port

 

Correspondence author: Brian R. ECLARINAL

The Brunei Cancer Centre, Jerudong Park Medical Centre Jerudong Park, Brunei Darussalam BG 3122

Tel: +673 2611433, Fax: +673 261246

E mail: qa.executive@jpmc.com.bn

 

Brunei Int Med J. 2014; 10 (3): 138-144

 

 

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