Hydrocolloid for skin protection?

[Cfholmes]

Hi! I'd like to know what other NICUs do to protect the nasal septum from breakdown when using nasal prongs for cpap or nasal cannula. Our current practice is to cut a strip of Replicare ( hydrocolloid) and apply it from just above the lip to above the tip of the nose. We change it once a shift and have had very good success with it. Now our head respiratory therapist doesn't like it because the RTs can't assess the skin underneath it. Any thoughts?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

We use Comfeel Plus Transparent. Make a "T" that goes on the top lip and up the septum. It protects against breakdown very well. Our RTs are the ones that started using it to protest the septum.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

We use these special things called "cannulaides" which is like a strip of material that feels like hydrocolloid but it has the shape and holes for the nares

[NICURN29]

We also use Cannulaide.

Cannulaide - Infant Nasal by Mercury Medical | Medline Industries, Inc.

[jennylee321]

Duoderm, also a hydrocolloid

[essT]

For bubble CPAP, we "DIY" our own cannulaides with Duoderm and sticky velcro. They are changed at least q12hr. We only use cannulas on babies who are 40+ weeks with mature skin, so they don't typically require a barrier.