Why is a blood draw at consultation not always done through my port-à-cath?

A port-à-cath facilitates blood sampling and should also be used on a regular basis (once every 12 weeks) to prevent blockage. Therefore, during follow-up consultations, your port-à-cath can generally be used to perform a blood draw. However, if your port-à-cath is still used on a regular basis, e.g. for an ongoing treatment, blood sampling at the consultation may still be done through your arm. The reason for this is twofold: on the one hand, each puncture of your port-à-cath carries a risk of infection. On the other hand, the silicone cover of your port-à-cath has a lifespan of about 2,000 punctures and we do not want to put unnecessary strain on it.