When performing a dressing change on a PICC, I hold or secure the external PICC tubing after removing the statlock. I then proceed to clean the skin with chlorhexadine in a circular motion and go outward. Is it also recommended that the tubing be individually cleaned with chlorhexadine if it is not soiled?
CHG requires a back and forth scrubbing motion, not circular motion. CHG contains alcohol which could damage the external catheter. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer regarding this practice. There is no requirement for this cleaning. Many facilities will use an alcohol pad to clean the luer locking threads of the catheter hub to remove dried blood, etc. BUT you must make sure that the hub is absolutely dry before you put on a new connector or admin set. Alcohol can soften the plastic, causing the set and hub to fuse together.
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