24 hour dressing after PICC insertion

[Gwen Irwin]

I have had a question posed to me about why a 24 hour dressing change after a PICC insertion is required.  The CDC's Guidelines to the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter Related Infections address gauze dressing used on CVCs (includes PICCs, right?) need to be changed every 48 hours.   So, why do we require a 24 hour dressing change?  Every PICC course that I have attended states this, but why do we do this?  I had to laugh when asked this question, because I almost said "That is what we have always done."  This kind of response is what I battle often for many other CVC practices (sound familiar?).  Is there evidence that the 24 hour dressing change for PICCs is necessary?  Is there any evidence that a 48 hour dressing change after insertion would change the patient's outcomes?   I value your perspectives and would enjoy hearing what you think.   Gwen Irwin Austin, Texas