Veins for Life

9 out of 10 patients surveyed in one study stated that a Port improved their quality of life due to decreased pain, need for fewer needle sticks, and quicker blood withdrawals.³

Lifestyle. Implanted ports, compared to other centrally placed vascular access devices, are more likely to permit one to go about their normal day-to-day activities, like showering, swimming, jogging, and playing with one's children. Ask the patient's doctor or nurse about specific activities and the appropriate time to resume them.

Comfort. Once placed, a port can remain for as long the patient's doctor determines he/she needs it. While the port itself will still need to be accessed with a special needle, there will be a decreased need for the sometimes painful poking and prodding to find a peripheral vein in the arms or hands with an I.V. every time the patient receives chemotherapy or has blood drawn.

Increased Privacy and Appearance. Implanted ports are small and can be hidden from view. With an implanted port, there is no exposed device and, because ports are typically placed in the chest, there's no potential for bruised arms. Other people will not know about the patient's treatment unless the patient wants them to.

Long-term Health. Since ports are typically placed in the chest, port usage can reduce the likelihood of damage to the peripheral veins in the patient's arm or hand. This may benefit a patient who needs blood work or I.V.s down the road.

A randomly selected, blinded survey of U.S. oncology nurses conducted by Bard Access Systems, Inc. has shown that:

• an estimated 27% of patients receive chemotherapy via peripheral I.V.¹
• 59% of patients who receive chemotherapy through a peripheral I.V. are unable to complete their therapy via peripheral I.V.¹
• More then half of all patients who begin chemotherapy via peripheral I.V. eventually need a vascular access device in order to complete their therapy.