CABG sternal dressings

[Whisper]

I am currently undertaking a literature review on post CABG infections, and am writing about the risk factors etc... howeber I was hoping to include an appendix with some different hospitals policies and procedures etc.

For example one ward in my area dresses 2/7 CABG sternal wounds using a sterile dressing pack betadine, and then a mepore... the other uses a clean technique and uses N.saline not betadine. The infection rates are not that different either!

I was hoping that some one would be able to explain what dressings your area uses for CABG patients and maybe provide an email address so that I can send a formal email to the hospital requesting the information.

I tried searching on google but wasn't able to find anything really productive. I hope someone can help, and I am more than willing to send/ search for UK information that could help anyone else.

Whisper

[RNPATL, DNP, RN]

I am currently undertaking a literature review on post CABG infections, and am writing about the risk factors etc... howeber I was hoping to include an appendix with some different hospitals policies and procedures etc.

For example one ward in my area dresses 2/7 CABG sternal wounds using a sterile dressing pack betadine, and then a mepore... the other uses a clean technique and uses N.saline not betadine. The infection rates are not that different either!

I was hoping that some one would be able to explain what dressings your area uses for CABG patients and maybe provide an email address so that I can send a formal email to the hospital requesting the information.

I tried searching on google but wasn't able to find anything really productive. I hope someone can help, and I am more than willing to send/ search for UK information that could help anyone else.

Whisper

This is the same literature review I am doing for my hospital. We are in the process of implementing some new policies relating to post CABG sternal incision care. Currently, the entire sternal dressing is removed 24 hours post-op and the incision site is left open to air and painted with betadine BID. I am of the opinion that the use of betadine is old school and we need to be more proactive. In addition, we are issuing our patient's a bottle of hand sanitizer and encouraging patients to be the "front line" in defense against infection. Our current statistics about the use of hand sanitizer are wonderful and show a marked decline in post-op sternal infections.

Let me know what information you get as I would be very interested in learning more on this topic as well.

[dianah, ASN]

Just a thought: we recently changed our cath lab groin preps from betadine to chloraprep, on recommendation of Infection Control RNs. Would chloraprep be an alternative to use?

[RockieSis]

Whisper

I work in CVOR and we place Maxorb wick on the incision with an Arglaese clear film on top of it. I will bring package insert literature home tomorrow from the OR if you would like to email me for more info. I wont bore the other readers with the details. I will also check with the CVRU to see what the dsg change schedule is. So far so good with our infection rate. We are a new program going on our 2nd, very successful year.

RockieSis. (I really need to change that to RangerSis since he got traded!!)