I was recently asked by the Radiology RN if it was acceptable to place tape, or a 2x2 and tape over the PIV they place for a procedure as opposed to opsite since it is for such a short duration of time. We have no known BSI's from this. I know for our inpatients, the opsite is placed over the site, but is it acceptable to do this, or should they be placing an occlusive dressing over their sites also?
Kim!
This is Stephen Harris how are you? My email is [email protected]
Send me a note and I can give you the current recommendations on this. The INS standards on this
subject are kind of wishy washy but they will help with your question.
Stephen Harris RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Chief Clinical Officer
Carolina Vascular Wellness
This is never acceptable practice. First, there is at least one study that has shown that rolls of tape taken from drawers, uniform pockets, etc. is highly contaminated. I think it was 74% of the samples tested. A folded gauze would not provide enough site protection even for a very short period. Think about the total infection prevention aspect of this. I have been an expert on several lawsuits where the patient went in a short procedure such as a CT scan or an endoscopy. They ended up with 1) such severe infection and so much edema that the end result was complex regional pain syndrome or 2) severe thrombophlebitis producing similar amounts of edema and also CRPS, or 3) infiltration/extravasation due to choice of sites in areas of joint flexion combined with power injection producing extreme catheter movement and vein puncture. So the short duration of catheter dwell is not a good enough reason to lower the standard of care. That standard calls for all infection prevention methods (hand hygiene, skin antisepsis, and catheter dressing) and catheter stabiiization with a stabilization device or system. Any thing less is a simple excuse in the name of cost-cutting that puts patients at risk. There is no cost savings when these severe complications go to court!! Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861