title: Vascular access by physician assistants: evaluation of an implantable peripheral port system in cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the ability of a physician assistant (PA) to insert, in an ambulatory setting, a peripheral subcutaneous implanted vascular-access device (VAD) and to evaluate the ability to transfer this training to a second PA. We also evaluated the performance and complications associated with this new device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Peripheral Access System (PAS) Port catheter system (Sims-Deltec Inc, St Paul, MN) was inserted in patients who required long-term (> 3 months) vascular access for infusion therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first PA (PA-1) successfully inserted 57 of 62 devices (92%) after gaining experience with the technique in 10 patients (success rate, five of 10 [50%]; P = .003). The second PA (PA-2) was successful in eight of 10 initial attempts (80%) and 25 of 30 overall (83%). Complications were few and limited to phlebitis, thrombosis, and a low infection rate (0.2 per 1,000 catheter days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAs can be taught to insert a peripheral subcutaneous implanted VAD. This technique is transferable from one PA to another, and the device studied is appropriate for outpatient VAD programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Specialties, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Rubenstein
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fender
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Rolston
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Elting
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prasco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Road
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frisbee-Hume
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurence
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010823:Physician Assistants