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Dressing Change for External Central Catheter With Gauze

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Penn Home Infusion Team
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

You will need the following supplies:

• Dressing change kit
• Medipore®
• Antibacterial Soap

DANGER: KEEP ALL SUPPLES OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN AND PETS.

1. Wash your hands (See Handwashing section for more information.)
2. Gently remove the Medipore® by peeling it away from the skin. BE CAREFUL NOT TO PULL ON THE CATHETER while removing the dressing.
3. Inspect skin around the catheter for redness and drainage.
4. Open dressing change kit and put on sterile gloves.
5. Open the acetone/alcohol swabs. With each swab scrub the skin starting at the catheter and moving out using a circular motion.
6. Repeat step #5 using the betadine swabs.
7. Let betadine dry for one minute.
8. Remove the extra betadine with the large gauze sponge.
9. Open the packet of betadine ointment. Hold the packet directly over the catheter and squeeze the contents onto the catheter site.
10. With your ________ hand, lift the catheter and position the 2"x2" split sponge around the catheter.
11. Place unsplit 2x2 over split sponge and catheter.
12. Remove your gloves and apply Medipore® tape.
13. Tape catheter in a looped position onto dressing.
14. Change dressing right away if Medipore® becomes loose or if dressing gets wet.