What is the best way to achieve a truly occlusive dressing? We have two issues that make us question if you can ever get a truly occlusive dressing. . . the first is one that will be eliminated when we finally convert to inserting Power PICCs only. Right now, we use Groshongs and when there is extra catheter, what is the proper way to ensure occlusiveness (is that a word?). I try to make sure that all extra catheter remains under the dressing. Others have used 2 statlocks and left some of the catheter and the second statlock hanging out of the dressing. I don't like this practice for fear of the patient pulling it (which they will), but was wondering if there was a protocol. Secondly, when I use a statlock, I try to put it as close to the insertion site as possible, hoping to anchor it more securely. Others will put it a little further away and then the edge of the dressing goes over part of the statlock, but the entire statlock isn't covered. In fact, half of the clip is exposed. This makes for a dressing that is not "air-tight" and hence could let bacteria in. I know the answers to these questions already, but just wanted a little back-up for when I present it to my coworkers. Thanks! Kelly
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