Hi Everyone,
Should a mask and sterile gloves be worn when PICC valves are changed ? If yes, why. If no, please also explain. We've got a bit of a debate going and I cannot find evidence specific to this point of practice.
Thanks,
Dave B.
Hi Everyone,
Should a mask and sterile gloves be worn when PICC valves are changed ? If yes, why. If no, please also explain. We've got a bit of a debate going and I cannot find evidence specific to this point of practice.
Thanks,
Dave B.
Aseptic no touch technique should be used. Sterile gloves are not necessary because the catheter hub is no sterile. No evidence to support masks for the change of needleless connectors or IV administration sets. You should be cleaning the outside with an alcohol pad, letting it dry. Then detach the old, attach the new without touching the male luer end to anything but the female end of the hub. The basic idea is to know what is sterile; know what is not sterile; keep the two apart; and if there is contact between them, do something about it. Lynn
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
Hi Lynn
I am curious - you mentioned cleaning the outside connection between the needelless connector and the catheter. Would you also clean the hub of the catheter after you remove the old NC and before you apply the new NC?
Thanks in advance
Tammy
Tammy Rooke, RN BscN CCHN(c)
Clinical Practice Manager
Red Cross Care Partners
Yes, I would clean the actual catheter hub around the luer locking threads. In th 1990's there were articles pointing to the catheter hub as the source of BSI. Note this was before the concern about needleless connectors as the cause of BSI. Since then, there have been no studies of agents or techniques for cleaning the hub, but I know that many hospitals have this policy. Dried blood, drug precipitate, skin oils, etc can be found on the hub. I would clamp the catheter, remove the IV set and/or needleless connector, wrap an alcohol pad around the hub and twist it several times. Then make sure it is thoroughly dry before connecting the new set or connector. Alcohol can cause some plastics to soften, thus the reason for letting it dry completely. Lynn
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