ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare different methods of dressing change on skin tears at the periductal wound for ICU patients with central venous catheterization (CVC).
METHODS: This research used a quasi-experimental design. Participants included 98 patients from the ICU of a medical center in Taiwan using a convenience sampling technique from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
RESULTS: Applying skin barrier film at the CVC insertion site effectively protected the skin and significantly reduced the risk of skin tears among ICU patients (P < .01).
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that use of skin barrier film at the site of CVC insertion can increase skin strength, maintain skin integrity, and decrease the incidence of skin tears. Skin barrier film is thus recommended for routine use in peripheral skin care for patients receiving CVC.