Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Sep 1984
Effects of dressing type and change interval on intravenous therapy complication rates.
Using a prospective study design, we compared the incidence rates in 807 patients of phlebitis, malfunction, cellulitis, and septicemia for short-term Teflon catheters with dressings changed every 24 or 48 hr, or using a polyurethane dressing changed every 48 hr. The study utilized either a standard dressing, which consisted of a small piece of dry sterile gauze, or a polyurethane dressing. ⋯ The risk of malfunction was significantly greater at 24 hr for the polyurethane dressing compared with the other two groups (p less than 0.05). These findings indicate that adoption of a 48-hr dressing change interval using a standard dressing could result in less phlebitis and significant cost savings to a university-based institution.