During cancer treatments, the most common needle nurses will use on their patients will be the Huber needles. This is a curved needle that is designed to make the chemotherapy treatment process easier. With the use of implanted ports, the needle is designed to slip through the port, without causing silicone and tissue from entering into the catheter line. When they have been installed, they won’t need to be taken out for a few days, so patients needing frequent treatments can benefit from dialysis, blood transfusions or other intravenous therapies without having to be stuck numerous times.
Huber needles will be found in a variety of gauges and lengths, so the nursing staff needs to pay attention to the port that is in place. If a needle is too short, it won’t deliver the treatment properly. In turn, a needle that is too long can cause pain and discomfort, while potentially causing the needle move, which can break the silicone seal on it.
The most common lengths that range from .5” – 1.5” in length, which will work with most infusion port sizes. Typically, they will offer color coding to help determine the right option for the ports they will be used in. This helps to make the use of the port easier if different departments will be treating the same patient. Most gauges on the Huber needle will be between 21 – 25 and it is important to notate this information in the patients chart to ensure that there is a lower risk for them. Having the length and gauge reduces the pain and discomfort the patient experiences when another department tries to put a line into their port.
There will be times when you have the port in place, but there is still a degree of pain that the patient experiences. Because of this, you will need to ensure you do what you can to reduce this discomfort for them. That will mean taking the time to apply Emla cream or Lidocaine to the area. This should make the needle slide in with less pain and prevent jerking or other involuntary movements that can cause the silicone septum to become damaged.
When the needle is done, it should be removed carefully and disposed of properly in the medical sharps container. This needle can cause injury and infection if a person is accidentally stuck with it. Make sure to handle it carefully and have it placed in the sharps container immediately upon removal. You should then apply a bandage to the area where the needle was removed from as there is a potential for leakage after an infusion.
Huber needles are an important medical tool that makes treatments easier. Make sure you choose the right size and gauges for your medical facility and ensure each department is trained to effectively use these tools so there is minimal risk for the patient.
Huber needles will be found in a variety of gauges and lengths, so the nursing staff needs to pay attention to the port that is in place. If a needle is too short, it won’t deliver the treatment properly. In turn, a needle that is too long can cause pain and discomfort, while potentially causing the needle move, which can break the silicone seal on it.
The most common lengths that range from .5” – 1.5” in length, which will work with most infusion port sizes. Typically, they will offer color coding to help determine the right option for the ports they will be used in. This helps to make the use of the port easier if different departments will be treating the same patient. Most gauges on the Huber needle will be between 21 – 25 and it is important to notate this information in the patients chart to ensure that there is a lower risk for them. Having the length and gauge reduces the pain and discomfort the patient experiences when another department tries to put a line into their port.
There will be times when you have the port in place, but there is still a degree of pain that the patient experiences. Because of this, you will need to ensure you do what you can to reduce this discomfort for them. That will mean taking the time to apply Emla cream or Lidocaine to the area. This should make the needle slide in with less pain and prevent jerking or other involuntary movements that can cause the silicone septum to become damaged.
When the needle is done, it should be removed carefully and disposed of properly in the medical sharps container. This needle can cause injury and infection if a person is accidentally stuck with it. Make sure to handle it carefully and have it placed in the sharps container immediately upon removal. You should then apply a bandage to the area where the needle was removed from as there is a potential for leakage after an infusion.
Huber needles are an important medical tool that makes treatments easier. Make sure you choose the right size and gauges for your medical facility and ensure each department is trained to effectively use these tools so there is minimal risk for the patient.
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