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.Pour out alcohol Chlorhexidine solution or open Chlorhexidine impregnated applicatordevice.Loosen exit site dressing. To loosen dressing lift lower-end and gently ease thedressing off, 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 per policy(DOH 2001).7Aseptically remove the dressingDecontaminate handsPut on sterile glovesPlace sterile towel as near as possible to the catheter.Clean around the catheter and exit site with gauze soaked in alcohol Chlorhexidinesolution or 2% Chlorhexidine impregnated applicator.The solution should be applied with friction but should not be too vigorous or the skin'snatural 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 on patient’s records.To prevent accidental removal of thecatheter and friction or trauma to skinsurface.Alcohol Chlorhexidine combines thebenefits of rapid action and excellentresidual activity (DOH 2001)Semi-permeable transparent IVdressings are well tolerated by patients(Campbell et al 1999, Treston-Aurand etal 1997, Wille 1993) and are easy toapply and remove (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