Extract:
“A myriad of dressing options are available for catheter management. A 2019 Cochrane systematic review synthesizing 22 randomised controlled trials conducted in ICU and other acute settings, found high quality evidence that medication-impregnated dressings typicallychlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)] reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (BSI) relative to all other dressing types [4]. With regards to the optimal frequency for dressing routine replacement for central venous access devices, a Cochrane systematic review in 2016 that included 5 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) [5], was inconclusive as to the efect of short-term versus longer intervals of replacement on infection or skin injury. The Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice recommend that sterile transparent semipermeable dressings are replaced at least every 7 days (except for neonatal patients, in whom dressings changes should only take place on clinical indication), and sterile gauze at least every 2 days [6]. A dressing change kit is recommended to standardise the procedure and improve efciency, with skin antisepsis repeated at the time of dressing change.”
Reference:Buetti N, Rickard CM, Timsit JF. Catheter dressings. Intensive Care Med. 2022 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00134-022-06734-w. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35624170.