What is the recommendation for catheter dressing change?
The CDC recommends that the catheter dressing be changed when it becomes damp, loosened, soiled, or when inspection of the site is necessary. Dressings on short-term CVC sites should be replaced every 2 days for gauze dressings and at least every 7 days for transparent dressings, except in those pediatric patients in whom the risk for dislodging the catheter outweighs the benefit of changing the dressing. Dressings used on tunneled or implanted CVC sites should not be replaced more than once per week, until the insertion site has healed. For more information on this information and similar guidelines, please visit the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5110a1.
