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Jenn M.
Change bloody biopatch or not???
I am curious what others are doing about changing PICC dressings that have bloody biopatches.  The biopatch rep says not to change the dressing unless it is "saturated with blood or the white spongy part of the biopatch swells beyond the blue", or every 7 days.  He says not to change the dressing if the biopatch is less than saturated with blood since it works in the presence of organic substances, and blood is organic.  The hospital I work for, though, has a policy that states to change the dressing if it is soiled.  I am having a hard time getting them to consider changing the policy since the biopatch company does not have anything in writing saying not to change the dressing unless saturated.  What are you doing at your facility?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Gwen Irwin
We were told to change the

We were told to change the dressing if the Biopatch is more than 50% saturated by the rep.  I think that is also the info on their website.

Gwen Irwin

Austin, Texas

lynncrni
This is the exact statement

This is the exact statement from the Biopatch instructions:

 Change the patch as necessary, in accordance with facility protocol; dressing changes
should occur at a minimum of every 7 days. Dressing changes will be needed more
frequently with highly exudative wounds.

 As you can see there is nothing in this statement, nor anywhere else in the document providing any critieria for degree of saturation, etc. Anytime a sales rep makes any statement about what a product will do, you must expert to see that same information in writing. There can be no exceptions to this rule of thumb. Most sales reps are trying to provide the best and most correct information possible, however there are some that are telling you what they think you wish to hear. So any claims made by the sales reps should not be believed unless you see it in writing from the company. The sales rep has something to gain by convincing you - your business! So get it in writing!

I am sure there will be some sales reps on this list that might take offense that my comments. If you did, then I would expect you to be in the category of saying anything to get the business. If you did not, then I would place you in the group of true professionals who try to bring accurate, factual information. 

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

brookhill
Hi Jennmar!  No question

Hi Jennmar!  No question you should change the biopatch!  Do a little more digging and check out Lippincotts article on CHG. 

In Lipincotts Fith Edition Edited by Symour Block of Disinf, Sterlizationa and Preservation... Chapter 15 by Graham Denton tells you more than you would ever care to know about Chlorahexadine.

Page 321  ... Effect of PH on Activity

"The antimicrobial activity of CHG is PH dependant optimum range is 5.5 to 7!"  Bllood's ideal ph is 7.4!  Interestingly enough, sweat has a PH from 4 to 6.8 

This information should make your salesman happy...Change that Biopatch!!!  Email me and I can send you the info. 

In the words of Ronald Reagan..."trust but verify" 

Sean

Baltimore, MD 

bartina
Biopatch

Sean,

Please email me the info on chlorhexadine too. Thank you, Nancy

[email protected]

Nancy Rose 

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