Dressing Changes

[karenaa]

Hello everyone,

Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of using a Biopatch with dressing changes? also - does anyone use a dressing change preassembeld kit?

Thanks!!

[karenaa]

and also... what is the recommended frequency of dsg changes for hemodialysis patients?

a friend told me that where she works they do it before each treatment and use transparent dsg

[Tish88]

Hello everyone,

Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of using a Biopatch with dressing changes? also - does anyone use a dressing change preassembeld kit?

Thanks!!

We use the biopatch and also a pre-assembled catheter kit, which does not contain the biopatch. The biopatch has cut down on our exit site infection rate.

We do our dressing changes and biopatch changes 1 time each week on each patient, unless the dressing is soiled or falling off and then we would change them as needed.

[Tish88]

and also... what is the recommended frequency of dsg changes for hemodialysis patients?

a friend told me that where she works they do it before each treatment and use transparent dsg

If a biopatch is not being used, the patients dressing should be changed with each treatment. It is better to do at the beginning of the treatment so if there is any signs of infection present, the patient's physician can be notified and orders received for cultures and antibiotics.

There is a lot of research done on types of dressings to use, for example a transparent drsg or simply a sterile 4x4 and taped securely.

I personally like a piece hypafix with a 2x2 underneath it.

[karenaa]

Thanks... I'm trying to figure out if its worthwhile to put 1 Biopatch per week or 3 different dressings - do you see any cost saving there?

[karenaa]

Thanks Tish... you said that 'If a biopatch is not being used, the patients dressing should be changed with each treatment' - are there any guidlines you are basing this on?

[Tish88]

Thanks Tish... you said that 'If a biopatch is not being used, the patients dressing should be changed with each treatment' - are there any guidlines you are basing this on?

The National Kidney Foundation recommends having the dressing changed with each dialysis treatment.

National Kidney Foundation: A to Z Health Guide Item

[Tish88]

Thanks... I'm trying to figure out if its worthwhile to put 1 Biopatch per week or 3 different dressings - do you see any cost saving there?

I feel that there is a cost savings with using the Biopatch and doing dressing changes 1 time each week. Especially if you are using the pre-packaged drsg kits - which can be costly if they are used 3 times each week.

The biopatches are not cheap, but in the long run, the patients have lower infection rates causing them not to be admitted to the hospital, in turn you not losing out on having them not being dialyzed in center.

[karenaa]

the nkf guidelines also suggest that "ointment should be applied (povidone-iodine or triple antibiotics) after each treatment" - that means 3 times a week. is it also applicable when using a biopatch?

[Tish88]

We do not use any type of ointments or antibiotics on our sites - only the biopatch.

I personally don't like putting ointments on them, only if they show signs of an exit site infection. There has been a lot of research done on this subject.

I feel it makes the area too moist!

Also, you want to make sure that it is bio-compatible with the type of catheter being used.