Vascular Access Nursing Practice, Standards of Care, and Strategies to Prevent Infection: A Review of Skin Cleansing Agents and Dressing Materials (Part I of a 3-Part Series)

Abstract

This three-part series of articles (parts 2 and 3 will be published in the Spring and Summer 2007 journal issues, respectively) will include information appropriate for the novice and the expert vascular access nurse. The series will include primers on vascular access devices, along with review of skin cleansing agents, dressing materials, catheter flush solutions, and injection caps. The focus of the article series will be the issue of catheter-related bloodstream infection, practice, technologies developed to prevent or decrease infections, current standards, and guidelines and preventive strategies.