What to know
Below are updates previously made to these guidelines.
Recommendation Update [July 2017]
Recommendations 12 and 13 under section 6. Catheter Site Dressing Regimens have been superseded.
- For patients aged 18 years and older:
- 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).
- 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).
For more information, see the Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressing Recommendation Update Evidence and Appendix.
- For patients younger than 18 years:
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
For more information, see the Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressing Recommendation Update Evidence and Appendix.
Edits and Changes [February 2017]
- Minor content edits were made to improve clarity.
- Spelling and punctuation were corrected.
- Tables were formatted to be easily read by screen readers in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Numbered or itemized items in paragraph format were converted to vertical numbered or bulleted lists in compliance with ADA.
- Link text was changed to comply with ADA.
- Live links were updated; dead links are indicated.