12
Suggested Catheter Maintenance
The catheter should be maintained in accordance with standard
hospital protocols. Suggested catheter maintenance is as follows:
• Dressing
Changes
Assess the dressing in the first 24 hours for accumulation of blood, fluid or
moisture beneath the dressing. During all dressing changes, assess the
external length of the catheter to determine if migration of the catheter has
occurred. Periodically confirm catheter placement, tip location, patency and
security of dressing.
• Flushing
Flush the catheter with heparinized saline every 12 hours or after each use.
Usually, one ml per lumen is adequate.
• Occluded or Partially Occluded Catheter
Catheters that present resistance to flushing and aspiration may be partially or
completely occluded. Do not flush against resistance. If the lumen will neither
flush nor aspirate and it has been determined that the catheter is occluded
with blood, a declotting procedure per institution protocol may be appropriate.
• When cleaning the exit site
WARNING:
- Do not wipe the catheter with acetone based solutions or polyethylene glycol
containing ointments. These can damage the polyurethane material if used
over time.
DO:
- Maintain according to hospital protocol. Avoid using acetone based solu-
tions, or ointment. These substances are known to degrade polyurethane.
- Use chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone iodine to clean the exit site around
the catheter.
- Allow all cleaning agents / antiseptics to dry completely before applying
dressing.
Catheter Removal
• Remove dressing.
• Grasp catheter near insertion site.
• Remove slowly. Do not use excessive force.
• If resistance is felt, stop removal. Apply warm compress and wait
20 - 30 minutes.
• Resume removal procedure.
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Catheter