Hello, all - I need advice from some IV gurus out there. I was trained that all IV sticks should be dressed with a sterile dressing - with Tegaderm/Opsite being preferred because the site could be easily monitored.
In the department I have worked in for a year now (Mother/Baby. occ L&D) it is very common practice to start an IV and only cover it with tape, usually plastic/Dermicel type. I am not comfortable with this because 1. the tape cant be totally sterile when it has been riding around in or on someone's uniform, 2. the tape generally starts to peel up from the edges after a few hours to a day, and 3. Many people seem to react to plastic tape. As a matter of fact, the only Tegaderms we stock are twice too big and have to be cut first. When I say something about most on the unit look at me like I have four heads!!!
Then recently someone dug up an old hospital policy stating that IV site should be covered with a band-aid, then the tape. It was placed in the communication book but hardly anyone does it that way.
What is your practice? When one is available, I find a Tegaderm and cut it. when no Tegaderm available, I use bandaid and tape. But never just tape!!! Am I wrong to be obsessing on this?
