BIOPATCH

We used to applied BIOPATCH on Central Line dressing and Change transparent dressings at least every seven days and PRN for infection prevention. After months of using it was discovered that it was not that effective, therefore it was discontinued.
Is there anyone who works in a hospital setting who is currently using a effective product?

We continue to use Biopatchs and they seem effective. 7 days seems like way too infrequently to change dressings. Ours are q96h and that's longer than most of the literature suggests (q72h).

I work with lines that are implanted (sometimes permanently) but are not CVCs - we did not have luck with Biopatch, but have had luck with Medihoney (no AB resistance, easy to apply, antibacterial, helps healing). I rave about it now, so have to give the caveat that I do NOT have any financial relationship with the company/product!!http://www.dermasciences.com/showpag...&pid=75&show=pI also saw at a wound conference last week that Silverlon comes in the round disc for CVCs: http://www.silverlon.com/index.htm

We're using these shiny new Tegaderms (clear, transparent dsg) with a blob of chlorhexidine on it that goes over the insertion site. Supposed to be better than the biopatch.

Quote from Cindy-sanWe're using these shiny new Tegaderms (clear, transparent dsg) with a blob of chlorhexidine on it that goes over the insertion site. Supposed to be better than the biopatch.

No but we have these new IV catheters from hell. I NEVER miss an IV and I can't get an IV started with one of these things no matter how much I try. I hate these things. I am going to have to figure out how to get some of the old ones back so I don't have to use these stupid things.

Interesting post.lbbeauplan-what was the rational for d/c the biopatch? You said it wasn't effective? Who did the dressing changes? I'm curious. Our facility has a 0% infection rate for all PICC lines, but it is ONLY the PICC team that is allowed to do the dressing changes. Strict sterile procedure is always followed. The C.L.drsg change kits now come with the bio patch in them. I use to question why it was only the PICC team that could change these, until, I witnessed RN's not wearing masks and not paying attention to the sterile field while changing CL dressings.For all infusaports that are accessed, any RN on duty is suppose to change them once weekly and PRN(policy at this institution), also using the biopatch. One thing I've observed, sometimes the RN does not realize she can not use the prefilled saline syringes with these huber needle kits that we have(they are not sterile-thus can not be put on the sterile field).Cindy, I am wondering about your tegaderm drsg with blob of chlorhexidene. In our kits, there is chlorhexidene that we clean the site with, also a tegaderm that we put on after the biopatch. So, did you guys use biopatches before and are just leaving that out now? If so, what/where is the evidence base practice you all got your info from?ghillbert-- We have used medihoney on some venous stasis ulcers and other various wounds with some yet minimal effectiveness. Your post peaks my curiousity. What/where are these catheters that you apply this to? Also, is there any dressing covering the site? How much do you have to apply and how far away from the site do you apply it? Have you done any research or seen any websites that talk about this?We currently have 2pts that have gone septic on us. The only common thing they share is, their infusaport dressings have been changed by a RN that did not use (for whatever reason) the biopatch. Their drsg changes were done this way for several weeks. One had her port removed yesterday, awaiting lab results. The other is hospice, it is unlikely they will remove the only line he has, will never know if the disease process made him susceptible to infec. or if it was because of not using the biopatch/steril tech??? As for placing the patch upside down, which is easily done, it may help to remember the sky is blue and the blue side faces the sky. blue to blue. diane227- curious about what new type of catheters you are using? If you've never missed a stick before, I would venture to say you have some excellent evidence to support getting the old ones backGood luck.Looking forward to your replies and also to other peoples opinions and feedback. Thanks for this post.:redpinkhe

Quote from purplehockeymomcindy, i am wondering about your tegaderm drsg with blob of chlorhexidene. in our kits, there is chlorhexidene that we clean the site with, also a tegaderm that we put on after the biopatch. so, did you guys use biopatches before and are just leaving that out now? if so, what/where is the evidence base practice you all got your info from?

Quote from purplehockeymomghillbert-- We have used medihoney on some venous stasis ulcers and other various wounds with some yet minimal effectiveness. Your post peaks my curiousity. What/where are these catheters that you apply this to? Also, is there any dressing covering the site? How much do you have to apply and how far away from the site do you apply it? Have you done any research or seen any websites that talk about this?

If you place the biopatch correctly, it prevents infection. If you don't place the biopatch correctly, well, all bets are off. Hard to believe that people would bail out on a product that is clinically proven because "people aren't using it right". None of the other products mentioned in this discussion are proven to prevent catheter infections or are researched in how they perform. Their comparison to biopatch has no clinical or relevant basis. Just read the literature these sales reps give you, don't just listen to their sales pitches. Since the manufacturer added the word UP to the blue side of the biopatch (duh) I haven't seen any upside down ones on our unit.

Quote from ebeehmIf you place the biopatch correctly, it prevents infection. If you don't place the biopatch correctly, well, all bets are off. Hard to believe that people would bail out on a product that is clinically proven because "people aren't using it right".

Quote from GadgitGurlRNWhat do you believe is the correct placment?

There's a very timely article in the November issue of the American Journal of Critical Care on just this subject. The study discussed in the article was done in a PICU but the results should not be considered invalid in adults. Their study suggests that the CVL dressing change process is more important in preventing CRBSI than the products used in the dressing change. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aacn...1/#/20/OnePageWhen our unit first began using BIOPATCH the supply we received was white on both sides. It was difficult to decide which side went up when dressing a CVL on a squirming toddler and our administration had issued a directive that we were only to use them on femorally-placed arterial lines because all of the CVLs we used were antibiotic-impregnated and didn't need them. So we didn't use them much and we still don't.