Is it appropriate to leave a tunneled catheter without a dressing? I know in the past the patients did not have dressings if they are not immunecompromised and the catheter is healed. I can only find one area that addresses this in the Plumbers Principles and Practice of Infusion Therapy. I am unable to find any other documentation. Can any of you help?
The Oncology Nursing Society Access Device Guidelines discusses leaving off the dressing after the cuff has had enough time for the tissue to grow into it.
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