I am A CNN 15 years of dialysis experience but 3/4 of it has been in a acute setting.I am now working at a free standing chronic unit.I have a question that has never come up at the hospital unit but it is here.We do the typical vas cath care soak caps 3-5 minutes prior to removing them in betadine.The nurses at this unit when disconnecting clean the end of the hubs where you screw the caps on with alcohol.I can understand where they feel old blood remaining there could cause a infection.I have read alcohol and catheters are not a good thing.I also feel alcohol is not bacterialcidal .So is this a regular procedure at all chronic units??Would you recommend cleaning with something else? Please help.

Hi, Deborah.

I need to encourage your staff not to use alcohol on any part of the vas cath. With certain types of catheters, catheter failure has been noted when alcohol has been used repeatedly at the site. The catheter has been known to become brittle and tear or get holes in it from alcohol exposure.

I personally feel most comfortable with the betadine approach. However, if you are having difficulties in the unit where you work, I would recommend either of the following things:

1. Contact the manufacturer of the catheter. They generally have guidelines for cleansing of the catheter.

2. Contact either the nephrologist or the vascular surgeon and ask them how they would like the catheter tips cleansed.

Good luck,
Carol