Central Line Dressing Change Instruction Sheet
Supplies
Alcohol based hand sanitizer
Sterile gloves*
Sterile gauze*
Non-sterile gloves
Alcohol swabsticks*
Skin prep swabsticks*
Antibacterial wipes
Chlorhexidine sponge*
Dressing (with anchor piece)*
Yellow masks*
Chlorhexidine patch*
* Located in dressing change kit.
1. Clean work area with an antibacteral wipe and allow to
dry. Place supplies on work area. Remove dressing kit
from outer wrapper and place on work area.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol
based hand sanitizer. Take masks from top flap of kit and
put them on (everyone in the room needs a mask). Put
on non-sterile gloves at this time.
3. With non-sterile gloves on, remove the dressing starting
at the bottom and peeling up towards the top. Do not
touch the catheter insertion site. Check for signs of
infection (redness, pus, swelling). If you notice any of
these signs, finish the dressing change and call your
provider.
4. Remove non-sterile gloves and wash hands. Carefully
open dressing kit, only touching edges of the wrap.
Take sterile gloves packet from top of kit, place on a
clean, level surface, and put them on using sterile
technique.
5. Use alcohol swabsticks if needed to clean dried
blood on line. Then, using chlorhexidine sponge,
scrub skin using a back/forth motion (friction rub)
for 30 seconds. Allow area to air dry for 30 seconds.
Do NOT blow on or fan the area.
6. Apply chlorhexidine patch with BLUE side up (BLUE
to the sky) and with the slit under the catheter.
Spread the slit apart and place around the line or
hub of the catheter. Turn slit to 5 or 7 o’clock with
slit edges touching.
