new policy

[sullidog]

Our dialysis center has this new policy where the catheter dressings are only changed once a week on a Friday. I asked about this and they said it helps to better prevent infection because if the dressing is changed daily the more the catheter will be exposed to the air. However my dressing a lot of the time will come loose before a friday and needs changed, yeah so much preventing an infection isn't it? Anyways I asked today how the dressing looked because it was loose on one side and they said it needs changed but they will do it Friday. I've also been refused dressing changes when I asked a couple of weeks ago too. My center does not train us on how to change the dressings ourselves so I have no clue how to do it. I have no sight either, but not sure if that makes a difference. I don't have masks and stuff either.
Anyways I understand that they wanna prevent infections by only exposing the catheter once a week, but if the dressing comes loose isn't that an issue as well? Does other centers follow this same protocall? As far as I knew it was always a rule of thumb to have the dressing changed each treatment, boy this will be fun in the summer when everyone with a catheter is sweating.
Troy

[Rerun]

I couldn't stand once a week.  Especially in the summer when I sweat.  They should honor your request for midweek changes.  Tell your Doc to write an order.  Change dressing upon request, and every Friday.

It is not infection they are worried about it is the bottom line$$$.

[monrein]

My center also had the once a week policy but it was completely flexible.  They'd change it any time I asked or any time they noticed it was lifting or looking yucky.  I also had the dressings and betadine swabs at home id I wanted to do it myself but I only remember doing it once.

[caringpct]

I change my patients' dressing every treatment. If you want to do it at home all you need is gauze, tape, and a mild soap with warm water. If you want you could apply an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infections.

[sullidog]

So your saying you don't have to use tegaderm everytime?
Troy

[monrein]

I did use tegaderm at home myself.  The clinic gave them to me to take home. 

[caringpct]

My unit doesn't use tagaderm. We only use gauze, but your unit should give them to you if that's what you use. If they refuse go talk to the facility admin or some one above the charge nurse.