Hello,
I am reading through the SHEA/IDSA 2014 Updates and the following statements:
Basic practices for preventing and monitoring CLABSI: recommended for all acute care hospitals. #1-C-6: “Use antimicrobial ointments for hemodialysis catheter-insertion sites (quality of evidence: I). (pg 757)
However, Section II (special approaches) includes the following: #2: “Use chlorhexidine-containing dressing for CVCs in patients over 2 months of age (quality of evidence: I). (pg 757).
My question is, if our institution uses a CHG impregnated sponge around the insertion site of the temporary dialysis catheter, is this meeting the recommendations?
Thank you,
Carole
Yes, I would say you are meeting this set of guidelines. The issue of antimicrobial ointments is based on studies that have shown an infection reduction when triple ABX or antiseptic ointment was placed on the dialysis insertion site. These studies were conducted long before the CHG sponge dressing was available. The special approaches section contains recommendations for situations where use of the basic methods have not produced a desired result or for other special situations. CHG dressings have been shown beneficial in multiple studies and are appropriate for HD catheters. 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