Haemodialysis central venous catheter exit site dressings in the tropics: a crossover randomised controlled trial

Aim: The trial aimed to identify the most effective dressing for haemodialysis central venous catheter exit sites in a tropical region. Background: Central venous catheters, often used to deliver haemodialysis, require meticulous exit site care. Staff in a tropical renal service were concerned a transparent dressing could increase the likelihood of dressings not remaining intact or of infection of the exit site. Design/Methods: Patients (n=26) with central venous catheter access attending this Australian renal service for haemodialysis consented to participate in this population-based, prospective, randomised crossover trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a specific sequence of transparent (IV3000) and non-transparent (Primapore (TM)) dressings. The primary outcome measure of effectiveness was intactness of dressings between haemodialysis episodes. Results: The majority of participants were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (n=21). There were no statistical differences between intactness of the IV3000 and Primapore (TM) dressing types. No laboratory-confirmed catheter-related infections occurred while patients were wearing the non-transparent dressing. Conclusions: Nurses in tropical settings can safely select either a non-transparent or transparent dressing until the study is replicated in other geographical locations with a larger sample size.

Wound Practice and Research

Wound Practice and Research

25

1837-6304

N/A

4

8