Gauze and tape and transparent polyurethane dressings for central venous catheters

Abstract

There is a high level of uncertainty regarding the risk of infection with the central venous catheter dressings identified in this review. Therefore, at this stage it appears that the choice of dressing for central venous catheters can be based on patient preference. To identify the most appropriate central venous catheter dressings, further research is necessary. It is paramount that any future studies investigating this issue must be rigorously performed randomised controlled trials.

epic3: revised recommendation for intravenous catheter and catheter site care

“…9 All concluded that the choice of dressing can be a matter of preference but if blood is leaking from the catheter insertion site, a gauze dressing might be preferred to absorb the fluid. We identified an updated Cochrane review, 10 which concluded that bloodstream infection was higher in the transparent polyurethane group when compared with gauze and tape.…”

The care and keeping of vascular access for home hemodialysis patients

“…• Either gauze dressings 41 or nonocclusive transparent dressings can be used at the exit site of catheters 45 • The lack of a dressing is a potential option for patients with severe skin breakdown or rash at the exit site; however, the evidence for this practice comes from a nondialysis patient population 46 • Sample guidelines for dressing change and exit site care can be found on the BC Renal website at: http://www.bcrenalagency.ca/node/786…”

Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of haemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI): a position statement of European Renal Best Practice (ERBP)

“…One meta-analysis comparing the complication profile of transparent and gauze dressings suggested a higher risk for catheter sepsis and bacteraemia with transparent dressings [45]; another more recent metaanalysis showed no differences but registered a high level of uncertainty regarding the reliability of the studies included [46]. With long-term catheters, gauze is the preferred choice.…”