First you make sure that the arm is clean by washing with soap and water to remove skin oils, sweat, etc. Scrub time depends on the antiseptic agent. CHG is a 30 second back and forth scrub with a 30 second drying time, with enough solution to thoroughly cover the site. Check the IFU for product in use. Povidone iodine requires a drying time of 1.5 to 2 minutes after the application.
Thank you so much Lynn. I read the IFU and it said 30 sec too. But where I work, they scrub the arm for 3 mins along with an inserter washing her hands. I'm afraid that it's too long for some patients who have sensitive skin. How should I approach this practice?
Who is "they"? Is this 3 minutes written into your policy and procedure? Or is it just someone's verbal comment. If a written policy, you must gather the evidence and take this back to the appropriate committee to get that 3 minutes changed. If this is verbal comment from someone, show them the IFU and ask them for their evidence for 3 minutes.
They=All my team members( VAT). It's been done in this hospital for almost 10 years, I'm new to the team. I couldn't find in an actual policy saying that a PICC arm has to scrub for 3 mins. But it says in the hospital educational ppt. of the VAT.
First you make sure that the arm is clean by washing with soap and water to remove skin oils, sweat, etc. Scrub time depends on the antiseptic agent. CHG is a 30 second back and forth scrub with a 30 second drying time, with enough solution to thoroughly cover the site. Check the IFU for product in use. Povidone iodine requires a drying time of 1.5 to 2 minutes after the application.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thank you so much Lynn. I read the IFU and it said 30 sec too. But where I work, they scrub the arm for 3 mins along with an inserter washing her hands. I'm afraid that it's too long for some patients who have sensitive skin. How should I approach this practice?
Who is "they"? Is this 3 minutes written into your policy and procedure? Or is it just someone's verbal comment. If a written policy, you must gather the evidence and take this back to the appropriate committee to get that 3 minutes changed. If this is verbal comment from someone, show them the IFU and ask them for their evidence for 3 minutes.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
They=All my team members( VAT). It's been done in this hospital for almost 10 years, I'm new to the team. I couldn't find in an actual policy saying that a PICC arm has to scrub for 3 mins. But it says in the hospital educational ppt. of the VAT.
I would expect these team members to show me their evidence and then take all of this to the appropriate committee so a real P&P can be written.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861