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Chemo Port / PICC Line / Central Line

What to Bring, How to Prepare, and What to Expect

These lines are used to give chemotherapy, IV medicines, fluids, and blood products safely, especially when treatment is long or veins are difficult. Your doctor will advise the best option for you: Chemo Port, PICC, or Central Line.

What to Bring (Checklist)

Reports & documents

  • Doctor’s advice/prescription for port/PICC/central line
  • Recent blood reports if advised (CBC/platelets, PT/INR etc.)
  • Any recent treatment notes (chemo plan, admission notes if any)

Medicines & important health info (must tell us)

  • List/photos of all current medicines
  • Blood thinners (very important): Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, etc.
  • Allergy history (medicines/latex/local anaesthetic)
  • Diabetes/BP/heart/lung disease history
  • History of infections or previous line infections (if any)

Practical

  • Photo ID
  • One attendant (recommended)
  • Comfortable clothing (loose sleeves if PICC is planned)

Before the Procedure (Preparation)

A) Fasting (depends on method)

  • Many lines are placed with local anaesthesia and may not need fasting.
  • If sedation is planned: you may be asked to fast 6–8 hours (instructions will be given).

B) Blood thinners (do not stop on your own)

  • Do not stop aspirin/blood thinners without doctor guidance.
  • The team will advise timing based on safety and your medical condition.

C) Pre-procedure tests

  • You may be asked for blood tests (like CBC/platelets and clotting tests) for safety.

PART A: What to Expect (Procedure Steps)

Chemo Port (Port-a-Cath) – What happens

A chemo port is a small device placed under the skin (usually upper chest) connected to a thin tube entering a vein.

Step-by-step

  • Consent + vitals + site marking
  • Local anaesthesia (area numbed)
  • Port is placed under the skin + tube connected to vein
  • Dressing applied
  • Short observation
  • First access/use may be done as per doctor advice

Typical time (safe range)

  • Procedure + recovery: 1–3 hours (can vary)

PART B: Daily Radiotherapy Sessions (Treatment Phase)

PICC Line – What happens

A PICC is a long thin tube inserted in a vein of the arm and advanced to a central vein.

Step-by-step

  • Consent + arm selection
  • Local anaesthesia
  • Line insertion (often ultrasound-guided)
  • Dressing + securement
  • Sometimes position confirmation is done as per protocol
  • Discharge instructions given

Typical time (safe range)

  • Procedure + instructions: 45–120 minutes

Central Line (Central Venous Catheter) – What happens

A central line is placed into a large vein (neck/chest/groin) for short-term or specific needs.

Step-by-step

  • Consent + site cleaning/sterile prep
  • Local anaesthesia (and sedation if needed)
  • Line insertion and securing
  • Dressing applied
  • Monitoring and instructions

Typical time (safe range)

  • Procedure + monitoring: 1–3 hours (varies by case)

Care Instructions

Keep the site clean and dry

  • Follow dressing change instructions exactly
  • Avoid touching the dressing unnecessarily

Bathing

  • For the first few days, you may be advised to avoid wetting the site
  • Use protective covering as guided by your team
  • Do not soak the area in tub/swimming until cleared

Activity

  • Avoid heavy lifting or vigorous arm movement for 24–48 hours (or as advised)
  • For PICC, avoid heavy weights with that arm unless cleared

Signs of Infection / Complication (Call us immediately / Come to Casualty)

  • Fever/chills
  • Redness, swelling, warmth, pain at the line/port site
  • Pus or foul-smelling discharge
  • Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Swelling of arm/neck/face on one side
  • Line leakage, broken line, or dressing soaked with blood

(Do not wait if fever occurs during chemo cycles—report immediately.)

Everyday Practical Tips

  • Always inform any doctor/nurse that you have a port/PICC/central line
  • Do not allow untrained handling—sterile precautions are essential
  • For port patients: port access is done with a special needle; don’t self-handle

Disclaimer

The exact method, fasting requirement, and observation time vary based on patient condition and hospital protocol. Your team will confirm your specific instructions during scheduling.

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