Suitability of chlorhexidine impregnated dressings on dialysis catheters in an acute dialysis setting: Lessons from our experience

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis catheter-related infections (HCRIs) are a major cause of mortality and morbidity among the dialysis population. Consequently, evidence-based procedures that would reduce the occurrence of HCRIs would be beneficial. The purpose of this study was to find out if there were any significant clinical and economic benefits of using chlorhexidine impregnated patches (biopatch™) to dress permacath exit sites in an acute dialysis setting. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 14 participants with permacaths were conveniently sampled from January to March 2011. Permacath exit sites were cleaned with chlorhexidine 2% as per hospital protocol before the application of biopatch. Dressings were changed after every 7 days and more often if there was need to. Results: Dressings were removed before the standard 7-day period due to oozing (19%), suspected exit site infection (37%) and exit site sensitivity (2%). Fifteen dressings (35%) were removed after 7 days while 7% of the dressings were not followed up. Overall, dressings were left intact for a mean period of 4.8 days SD ± 1.8. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that biopatch™ dressings may need to be changed more often in an acute dialysis unit and there is need for further investigations on whether this dressing remains cost effective in an acute dialysis setting.