Do we need to change a CVAD dressing 48 hours after a hemostatic agent (i.e. Gelfoam) has been applied? Do we treat this as a non-transparent dressing?
Any time there is blood under the dressing, it must be changed. Length of time is not the qualifier. Does not matter if it is 2 hours, 24 hours, or 48 hours, if blood is present, change it. Are you using a Gelfoam sponge or powder? If you can not see the insertion site and possible presence of blood due to the hemostatic agent obscuring your view, I would change this every 48 hours until hemostasis has occurred. Check product instructions for removal time and procedure. Lynn
Any time there is blood under the dressing, it must be changed. Length of time is not the qualifier. Does not matter if it is 2 hours, 24 hours, or 48 hours, if blood is present, change it. Are you using a Gelfoam sponge or powder? If you can not see the insertion site and possible presence of blood due to the hemostatic agent obscuring your view, I would change this every 48 hours until hemostasis has occurred. Check product instructions for removal time and procedure. 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