Abstract
Abstract Objectives: To identify the frequency of change of chlorhexidine-impregnated gel dressings applied in central venous catheter insertion sites, describe reasons for dressing changes, and identify the amount of dressings used per adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods: Descriptive study consisting of daily record of occurrence evaluation, reason for dressing change and quantity used per patient, between April and December 2014. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results: A total of 159 dressings were applied at the insertion site of 64 central venous catheters whose mean frequency of dressing changes was 3.04 days. The mean number of dressing per patient was 3.1, but 83 unscheduled changes occurred before 7 days of stay, due to detachment, wetness, soiling, and loss of dressing. Conclusion: The frequency of dressing changes was less than seven days, resulting in greater quantities of dressings per patient. Detachment was the most common reason for unscheduled dressing changes.
Highlights
Ill patients are patients who require continuous surveillance and high complexity care; they are usually admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).[1]
To identify the frequency of change of chlorhexidine-impregnated gel dressings applied in central venous catheter insertion sites, describe reasons for dressing changes, and identify the amount of dressings used per adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit
A total of 159 dressings were applied at the insertion site of 64 central venous catheters whose mean frequency of dressing changes was 3.04 days
Summary
Ill patients are patients who require continuous surveillance and high complexity care; they are usually admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).[1] In view of the instability of these patients, the use of the central venous catheters (CVCs) is indispensable for the management of their therapy; they are considered an essential device, widely used in ICUs.[2,3,4]. A CVC is defined as an intravascular access; its tip is located near or inside the right atrium or one of its great vessels.[4] This device has a series of purposes, including: blood collection; continuous or intermittent infusions of intravenous solutions; administration of blood components and blood products; parenteral nutrition; administration of medicinal products that cannot be administered peripherally; and estimating values of central venous pressure.[2,5,6]. The use of short-term CVCs is associated with infectious complications that may increase hospital-related costs and lead to longer hospital stays.[2,3,4,5] It is important to mention that the main pathogenic mechanism of this type of infection occurs due to loss of skin integrity, caused by the insertion of the intravascular catheter; migration of skin microorganisms around the insertion site to its tip may occur.[3,5,7]
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