Evaluation of the port-a-cath implantable venous access system by children with blood cancer and their parents

Introduction: There were two pieces of research carried out (in 1999 and 2008) where children with blood cancer and their parents evaluated the usefulness and efficiency of the port-a-cath implantable venous access system.

Material and methods: The study involved 119 parents and 50 children aged 9–18 years. In both pieces of research, an open-question questionnaire was used and the questions asked related to various aspects of the use of port-a-cath.

Results and conclusions: The results have indicated that both children and parents understand the necessity behind the use of port-a-cath and notice the related benefits. The majority of respondents positively assess the experience of using port-a-cath. The children taking part in the second piece of research elaborated more on the port-a-cath and how they work. Moreover, all of the children participating in the second research had been informed about the procedure of implantation and working of the port-a-cath. In the first piece of research three children had not received such information. The parents participating in the study in 2008 had more suggestions of improvement for the port-a-cath than those taking part in the study in 1999. Overall, both children and parents find the experience of using port-a-cath positive and are increasingly informed by the personnel about the implications of using the port-a-cath implantable venous access system.