Collaborative Intravenous Nursing Service (CINS) Guidelines

Open sterile pack, allowing inner pack to fall onto the clean working area.Open out sterile pack to create a sterile field.Open remaining equipment ensuring no contamination of sterile field. Place sterile towelas near as possible to the catheter.Pour out alcohol Chlorhexidine solution or open Chlorhexidine impregnated applicatorLoosen exit site dressing. To loosen dressing lift lower-end and gently ease the dressingoff from the skin.To allow for a sterile environment foraccessing intravenous catheter,and to reduce incidence of infection.Chlorhexidine based solutions arerecommended (in alcohol) as perpolicy (DOH 2001).22Aseptically remove the dressingWash hands and put on sterile glovesClean around the catheter and exit site with gauze soaked in alcohol Chlorhexidine orusing 2% Chlorhexidine impregnated applicator. The solution should be applied withfriction, but should not be too vigorous or the skin's natural defence may be destroyed.Allow to dry.Apply new dressing to exit site.Remove the dressing towelRemove gloves.Clear away equipment. Dispose of waste as per policy.Wash hands.Document care in patient’s records.To prevent accidental removal of thecatheter and friction or trauma toskin surface.Alcohol Chlorhexidine combines thebenefits of rapid action and excellentresidual activity (DOH 2001).Semi-permeable transparent IVdressings are well tolerated bypatients (Campbell et al 1999,Treston-Aurand et al 1997, Wille1993) and are easy to apply andremove (Wille 1997).The CINs group hereby assert their moral rights tothe works herein in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988.Policy review date 01/10/10