King Saud University Medical City

Corporate Nursing Education and Development

Corporate Nursing Affairs

Hospital:  KKUH  KAUH  DUH
UNIT-SPECIFIC NURSING COMPETENCIES Applicability:
 KKUH: Oncology (Adult, Ped), ICUs (Ped,
ACCESSING THE IMPLANTABLE PORT Neonatal), DEM (Ped), General
Pediatrics, General Medicine-Surgery
Name of Staff Computer Number  KAUH: NA
 DUH: NA
Ward/ Unit Date
Competency Assessment Method: Written Exam Frequency of Competency Assessment:
Result:
Knowledge: W – Written; V – Verbal (N/A if not  Upon Arrival
Skills: De – Demonstration; D – Discussion; O – Observation; S – Simulation applicable)  Every Tow year
 Others:
Attitude: O - Observation
Instructions:
1. Encircle the appropriate competency assessment method/s per step.
2. Tick () the corresponding space provided in the evaluator assessment. M – Met NM – Not Met NA – Not Applicable
Critical Steps:
Patient safety and nursing standards are the basis in the selection of the critical elements. Every critical element in the checklist will be highlighted with an asterisk (*).
If the staff fails to meet one or two critical elements (*), the staff will be required to repeat the critical elements he/she may have missed.
If the staff fails to meet three and more critical elements (*), the staff will be required to repeat the whole procedure.

EVALUATOR
COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
COMPETENCIES ASSESSMENT METHOD
M NM NA
No. KNOWLEDGE
1 Identify the indications of implantable port-a-catheter. W V
2 Identify the contraindications of implantable port-a-catheter. W V
3 State the duration of the port-a-catheter. W V
4 Identify the insertion sites of the implantable port-a-catheter. W V
5 Recognize the signs of occlusions. * W V
6 State possible complications. * W V
No. SKILLS
7 Verify the physician’s order. DE D O S
Prepare the equipment needed: *
8.1 Central line dressing kit
8.2 Non-curing Huber needle/ Gripper needle ¾” or 1”
8.3 Needleless connector
8.4 Protective cap
8 8.5 Chlorhexidine swab sticks DE D O S
8.6 Sterile gloves
8.7 Clean gloves
8.8 Pre-filled syringe (10ml)
8.9 Sterile syringe (10ml) for aspiration
8.10 Mask
Introduce self, identify the patient with ID band, explain the procedure, and check for patient’s
9 DE D O S
allergies.
10 Perform hand hygiene. Apply non-sterile gloves and mask. DE D O S
11 Position patient. Expose and perform skin assessment to identify the port insertion site. * DE D O S
12 Palpate port to locate the center for needle insertion. * DE D O S
13 Apply Emla cream 30 mins to 1 hour before the procedure. DE D O S
14 Perform hand hygiene. DE D O S
Select the appropriate type and size of non-coring Huber needle and assemble all equipment
15 DE D O S
and supplies, and check for expiration dates. *
16 Open dressing kit and maintain a sterile field. * DE D O S
Open Huber needle packet and attaches needleless adapter to the extension set of the Huber
17 needle. Attach the prefilled saline syringe to the adaptor and prime tubing and Huber needle. DE D O S
Leave syringe attached to set with clamp closed. *
18 Wash hands and wear sterile gloves and mask. DE D O S
Using Chlorhexidine swab sticks, clean the area by gently scrubbing over the insertion site in a
horizontal pattern to cover a 5cm area and then with the other side of the swab stick in a
vertical pattern. With a second swab stick, clean the area beginning at the insertion site with a
19 DE D O S
circular motion going from left to right (middle to outward) extended in 5cm in diameter
coverage. Flip the swab stick over and repeat going from right to left. Discard swab sticks and
allow to air dry. *
20 Place a sterile drape over the prepared site; palpate a port-a-cath to locate the portal septum. * DE D O S
21 Stabilize the port edge with the non-dominant hand. DE D O S

Revised: December 2023

For revision on December 2025 and as needed
Page 1 of 2
 Using the dominant hand, insert the non-coring Huber needle at a 90° angle through the center
22 DE D O S
of the port system using firm, consistent pressure. *
23 Open the clamp and verify patency by aspirating for blood return. * DE D O S
EVALUATOR
COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
COMPETENCIES ASSESSMENT METHOD
M NM NA
Aspirate 3- 5ml (Pedia) and 10ml (adult) of blood and discard then flush with 5-10ml (Pedia) and
10-20ml (adult) NSS using turbulent flush technique and clamp during the last ml. Remove the
24 DE D O S
syringe from the adapter and attach a protective cap if the non-coring needle is for blood
sampling only. Attach to IV set if the patient is for fluid management. *
25 Apply transparent dressing over the insertion site and secure the needle and tubing. * DE D O S
26 Label the site with the date and time of insertion and initials of the nurse. * DE D O S
27 Dispose of supplies and perform hand hygiene. DE D O S
No. ATTITUDE
28 Maintain professionalism throughout the procedure. * O
29 Establish rapport with the patient. O
30 Preserve the patient's dignity. O
31 Provide privacy.* O

REMARKS:  PASS  NEEDS REMEDIAL REMEDIAL DATE:

Assessor’s Comments/Recommendations:

NAME DESIGNATION SIGNATURE

Competency Performed by:
(STAFF NAME)

Assessed by: (NURSE EDUCATOR OR CRN

CLINICAL RESOURCE NURSE)

Noted by: (HEAD NURSE)

Learning Resources:
 http://www.bardpv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/0728014_port_ifu_web.pdf
 https://www.smiths-medical.com/~/media/M/Smiths-medical_com/Files/VA192009EN-042012_LR.pdf
 http://nursinglink.monster.com/training/articles/302-the-use-and-maintenance-of-implanted-port-vascular-access-devices

Upon completion:
1. A soft copy of the Record of Achievement of Competence should be made available to Nursing Education and Development for capturing on the
training database.
2. Copy of Record of Achievement of Competence should be made available to the Head Nurse for the shadow file
3. Original copy of the competency assessment and Record of Achievement of Competence should be kept by the member of staff in the professional
development portfolio

Revised: December 2023

For revision on December 2025 and as needed
Page 2 of 2