Updates

Recommendation Update:

Recommendations 12 and 13 under section 6. Catheter Site Dressing Regimens have been superseded.

12. For patients aged 18 years and older:
    1. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings with an FDA-cleared label that specifies a clinical indication for reducing catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) or catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI) are recommended to protect the insertion site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters. (Category IA).
       (See  Section 5.0 Implementation Considerations for Patients Aged 18 Years and Older).

For more information, see the Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressing Recommendation Update Evidence and Appendix.

13.  For patients younger than 18 years:
    1. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings are NOT recommended to protect the site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters for premature neonates due to risk of serious adverse skin reactions.  (Category IC).
       
    2. No recommendation can be made about the use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings to protect the site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters for pediatric patients less than 18 years old and non-premature neonates due to the lack of sufficient evidence from published, high-quality studies about efficacy and safety in this age group. ^14-15 (unresolved issue).

For more information, see the Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressing Recommendation Update Evidence and Appendix.

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