Hi - I'm looking for feedback on how to clean the catheter during a dressing change. Am aware of the fact that polyurethane catheters do not tolerate alcohol, so alcohol pads and chlorhexadine with alcohol are not to be used with them. Sometimes there is adhesive residue, or with the new gel pad dressings, other residue on the line itself. How do you recommend cleaning that catheter? And is it recommended to clean the catheter before or after you clean the chest with chlorhexadine?
I have never seen any studies on these questions. Clearning the external catheter segment should be information found in the manufacturer's instructions for use, found in the package for each catheter and/or online. No recommendations on which to clean first. 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
Cleaning the polyurethane or silicone catheter with alcohol and chlorhexidine is the accepted practice and will not harm the catheter. Leaving the alcohol to pool over extended periods of time, or indwell, may weaken polyurethane. It will not effect the catheter during the cleaning process. When I teach, I teach to clean the catheter, the site, under the catheter and the entire area under the dressing with Chloroprep at each dressing change.
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC