We have always cleansed the insertion site prior to removal of a CVC or A-line.   Is there literature to support this or is it because we have always done it this way.
We would D/C a PIV from the anticubital without first washing the site with CHG so why cleanse prior to PICC removal.   After all the line is coming out-not in. Can we just pull it out?  Patient do it frequently without cleaning first.
Thanks,
The only time I have ever cleaned the skin before removal was if I was going to take a culture of the catheter tip. Expressed and drainage, then cleaned with alcohol to remove any drainage, then removed the cath. I don't know of any reason why you would need to clean before removal if a cath culture is not needed.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Barbara
Just a point of clarification - the application of ointment at the site of CVC removal has never been about the infection control issues. It is about the fact that these ointment are petroleum based, so that provides a seal over the skin-to-vein tract left after removal. This is strongly recommended to prevent venous air emboli, not infection.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861