Post CABG dressings (what do you use?)

Specialties CCU

Published

i have seen silk tape with sterile gauze changed before 24hrs and elastoplast tape changed at 48 hrs. i'm wondering what other heart programs do for post op dressings????

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist

NotReady4PrimeTime, RN

5 Articles; 7,358 Posts

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

We don't do CABGs (we're peds) but we do about 300 open-heart procedures per year. We've recently changed our sternotomy dressing to Mepilex Border Lite to minimize skin trauma with dressing changes. They come in a number of sizes and shapes to suit practically any need and can be lifted to assess the incision then replaced with no loss of adhesion. http://www.dressings.org/Dressings/mepilex-border-lite.html

allnurses Guide

ghillbert, MSN, NP

3,796 Posts

Specializes in CTICU.

Sternal dressing: Primapore.

billythekid

150 Posts

Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.
i have seen silk tape with sterile gauze changed before 24hrs and elastoplast tape changed at 48 hrs. i'm wondering what other heart programs do for post op dressings????

OpSite dressing for sternal incision

Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Primapore

Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

Primapore here as well, most of the time. Odd situations have called for other things but 99% of the time, we clean the incision with Hibiclens diluted in sterile NS, apply triple antibiotic ointment and cover with Primapore. That's the standard unless something else is ordered.

WahooRN08

70 Posts

Specializes in CCU.

Primapore, then after POD 1, the dressing comes off and is cleaned with chloraprep. (sp)

Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

I was taught that you do not want to use chloroprep on the surgical wound because it gets rod of the skins natural flora (or is it fauna?). Chloroprep can be used around the incision, but not directly on it...only sterile saline no the wound...any one else been taught this?

jmgrn65, RN

1,344 Posts

Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

Actually I am not sure what is used because we get them 2nd day post op after that the incision is open to air and cleansed daily with antibacterial soap and water. Unless there is drainage then just sterile guaze and paper tape.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist

NotReady4PrimeTime, RN

5 Articles; 7,358 Posts

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I just learned yesterday that our wound care NP and one of our CV surgeons will be trialling a new transparent, absorbent dressing the name of which escapes me right now, that will stay in place at least 72 hours but no more than 120 hours. More later...

stoli

29 Posts

Specializes in CCU/MED-SURG.

POD 1- we cleanse with hibaclense and paint betadine @ sides of the sternal incision , apply sterile gauze attached with silk tape.

elthia

554 Posts

We use a type of sponge dressing that is impregnated with silver nitrate and covered with tegaderm, it is applied in the OR, and is not removed for 7-10 days. Since we have started using the silver nitrate dressings, our sternal wound infections have dramatically decreased compared to when we used betadine.

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