I’m updating the PICC removal policy for a large home care agency. Per the 5th edition INS Policies and Procedures for Infusion Therapy – petroleum based sterile ointment should be applied to the exit site (prior to applying occlusive dressing). A CRNI at our agency told me there is literature warning against applying ointment to the insertion site post-removal – due to risk of fatty embolism. This nurse cautioned that if sterile ointment is used a very small amount should be applied. The CRNI/nurse could not remember off hand the literature/article that expressed this possible risk.
Your insights on this are appreciated.
Paula
The only thing I have ever found in the literature is an abstract of a single case study only avaialble in German published more than 25 years ago. Only the brief abstract is in English and not the entire article. I do not think this constitutes any reasonable amount of evidence that would negate the safety of petroleum based ointment to prevent the serious dangers of venous air embolism. Therefore the SOP committee decided it should remain in the standards.
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