New standards are issued for catheter stabilization

The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) has issued revised standards on catheter stabilization that now recommend the use of a manufactured catheter device, when feasible.

According to standards recently released in the Journal of Infusion Nursing (2006; 29[1 suppl]:S1-92, practice criteria for catheter stabilization include the following:

• Protocols for stabilization of the catheter should be established in organizational policies and procedures and practice guidelines.

• Products used to stabilize the catheter should include manufactured catheter stabilization devices, sterile tapes, and surgical strips. Whenever feasible, using a manufactured catheter stabilization device is preferred.

• When a manufactured stabilization device is used for catheter securement, placement should be in accordance with manufacturer’s labeled use(s) and directions.

The practice criteria also cover removal of the stabilization device to allow visualization of access site and skin; proper application of tapes or surgical strips; use of alternative stabilization devices when sutures are used for initial stabilization and become loose; and restabilization when a catheter has migrated externally.