Good afternoon everyone!
Forgive my confusion...Can you use a Biopatch or Tegaderm CHG over an epidural catheter? How about an intrathecal catheter? I am getting different answers from all.
Also, how about "scrubbing the hub" with chlorhexidine? Does any one know of any recent studies about this practice?Â
Thanks so much for any/all help.
Leann Kennedy
The concern with intrathecal and epidural catheter care is you do not want to get alcohol into the epidural space as it could cause neurological complications. I do not see anything on the instructions for use for the Biopatch that indicates that would be a problem, and since it does not contain alcohol, I cannot see why it would be a problem. You can use betadine to clean hubs for these types of cathethers, and straight chlorhexidine should not be a problem. You should not use the combined products that have both alcohol and chlorohexidine, as the risk of effecting the space with the alcohol exists.
I do not have info about the Tegaderm CHG, but if it does not contain alcohol it should be OK.
Chris Cavanaugh, CRNI
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC
Is anyone changing lines placed in the field within 24 hours? How about lines placed in the ER? What are your references? Thanks for your help.....
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