Use of Op Site as an Occlusive Dressing for Total Parenteral Nutrition Catheters

Abstract

Op Site dressings for total parenteral nutrition catheters on one general surgical ward were compared with the immediate prior experience with conventional occlusive gauze dressings on the same ward. Twenty-one patients were followed for 319 patient days using Op Site and 11 patients ( 196 patient days) with gauze dressings. The infectious complication rate remained acceptably low (less than one infection/100 patient days). Savings in nursing time used for total parenteral nutrition catheter care occurred with Op Site (10 minutes versus 30 minutes per patient). This resulted in a savings of $25 per average patient, despite the slight additional cost of a single dressing.