CHANGING YOUR PICC LINE DRESSINGS
CHANGING YOUR PICC LINE DRESSINGSTRANSCRIPTTo prevent infection, the dressings of your peripherally inserted central cathetershould be changed on a regular basis – usually every 7 days. If your dressings get wetor soiled, have them changed right away to keep your insertion site healthy.The area you change your dressing in should be germ-free, and anybody cominginto contact with the site should wear a mask and wash their hands thoroughly. Asterile drape included in the dressing change kit will cover the area, helping to preventinfection.Your old dressing can be removed carefully, starting at the bottom. Do not touch theinsertion site or catheter.Check the site for signs of infection.“Make sure there’s no drainage. It looks good. There’s no redness. Nothing thattells me it’s infected, so it looks real good.”Look for increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness at the area; red streaks leadingfrom your insertion site; or blood draining from the site. If you notice any of thesesigns, or if you develop a fever, you may have an infection that needs to be treatedimmediately.Wearing sterile gloves and a mask, disinfect the skin around the insertion sitethoroughly. Use a back-and-forth scrubbing motion for at least 30 seconds. Allow thearea to dry. Do not fan or blow on the area to speed things up. Prevent infection anyway you can.When the site is dry, put the new dressing on over the insertion site. Putting a dressingon when the site is still wet can cause blisters and irritate your skin. If you are doingthis at home, throw all of your used supplies – including your old dressings – in aplastic trash bag clearly labeled that it contains medical waste. And wash yourhands20% gradient meshthoroughly.Remember, your dressings need to be changed every 7 days, or as directed byyourhealthclipshealthcare provider. Develop a routine to help you remember when they need to behealthclipschanged. You may want to mark it on your calendar, set an alarm on your phone, orlabel the dressing with the date and time of the last change so you don’t forget.healthclips“There is the date, today’s date, and that’s a reminder so that we change it once ahealthclipsweek.”4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_gn_10199_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
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