Comparison of Care Outcomes Between Two Methods of Drug Injection Through Ports and Peripheral Veins in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: One of the common treatments for cancer is chemotherapy that is usually done by intravenous injection. Central catheters and portholes are used for the intravenous administration of chemotherapy drugs through peripheral vessels. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the caring outcomes of the two methods of drug injection through the peripheral vessels and ports in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: In this descriptive study, 68 cancer patients admitted to the Hematology and Oncology Wards of Shahid Baghaei Hospital 2 in Ahwaz during three months were evaluated in two groups of 34 patients receiving chemotherapy (one group via ports and one group via peripheral blood vessels). Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of two parts: demographic information (sex, age, and type of disease) and information about the patient's condition (drug injection method, serum, and catheter number), and an observational checklist including inflammation rate, drug extravasation, limitation of patient movement, medical expenses, and patient satisfaction. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 software. Results: According to the results of the study, the two groups were compared in terms of inflammation (P = 0.0001, T = 4.908), drug extravasation (P = 0.0001, T = 3.872), movement limitation P = 0.000, T = 4.922) the cost of treatment (P = 0.0001, χ2 = 56.973, P = 0.000, and patient satisfaction (P = 0.0001, T = -23.66). Conclusions: Performing chemotherapy through the port has fewer side effects and brings more comfort to the patients.