How to Use Tegaderm Dressing

Tegaderm is the most widely used dressing in hospitals today.

Tegaderm dressings are designed to aid in caring for wounds and managing infusion therapy (I.V.) sites. Their effectiveness, versatility and ease of use have made them the standard of care in most hospitals and health care facilities. They are impermeable to micro-organisms, which offers an effective barrier to external contamination. Unlike traditional dry dressings, they provide a moist environment to enhance healing. The dressing's rigid frame allows for easy, precise placement that reduces wrinkling and allows for gentle removal.

Things You'll Need

• Tegaderm dressing appropriate for site
• Soap and water
• Gloves
• Medical scissors
• Biohazard container

Instructions

Preparing the Site

1. Wash hands with soap and water for two minutes. Put on gloves.

2. Assess the site. Tegaderm offers a variety of wound dressings based upon exudate, infection risk and severity of wound, in addition to dressings for use exclusively on I.V. sites. Select the appropriate Tegaderm dressing based upon the site needs, wound type and skin condition. Application of wound and I.V. dressings varies slightly.

3. Clip excess hair with medical scissors for optimal adhesion and patient comfort.

4. Clean the skin and wound thoroughly with recommended solutions. Allow the skin to dry before applying the dressing. Excess moisture will prevent proper adhesion and may inhibit proper healing.

Applying Wound Dressing

1. Evaluate the wound and select the correct dressing size so that 3/8 inch of the dressing extends beyond the wound edge. Do not cut the dressing.

2. Hold the dressing by a tab and peel the liner from the dressing, exposing the adhesive surface.

3. Hold the dressing by the tabs and center the dressing over the wound, adhesive side down. Avoid stretching the dressing.

4. Gently press the dressing in place, smoothing from the center outward.

5. Slowly remove the paper frame while pressing down and smoothing the film border to ensure good adhesion.

Removing Wound Dressing

1. Carefully lift the film edges from the skin. If there is difficulty lifting the dressing, apply tape to the edge

   and use tape to lift.

2. Dispose of the used dressing and any other accompanying materials in a biohazard container.

3. Consult a health care professional if the wound increases in size after the first few dressing changes, does not show signs of healing or if any other unexpected symptoms occur including irritation, redness, maceration (whitening) of the surrounding skin, or hypergranulation (excessive tissue formation in the wound) develops.

Applying I.V. Dressing

1. Remove liner to expose adhesive. Hold end of dressing with adhesive side facing skin. Bend slightly with thumb.

2. Position dressing with bottom of notch placed directly below the luer lock hub, the device that links the intravenous needle to the external catheter. Pinch in place around catheter. Apply firm pressure over the film.

3. Wrap ends of notch beneath catheter hub and apply firm pressure. Slowly peel back frame while simultaneously pressing down dressing edges.

4. Remove precut sterile tape strips from paper frame. These are used to keep the I.V. in place. Apply each tape strip parallel and adjacent to each other over the luer hub to secure. Continue straight out and note that the tape strips are applied over the hub, not under it.

5. Pinch tape around luer hub and apply firm but gentle pressure over all surfaces to maximize adhesion.

   Apply tape label.

Removing I.V. Dressing

1. Remove strips from dressing making sure not to pull on I.V. or external catheter. Gently grasp soft cloth on both sides of notch and separate.

2. Slowly peel dressing back over itself while stabilizing catheter and supporting surrounding skin. Failure to do so will tear skin, cause discomfort to patient and/or pull catheter and needle out of place.

3. Dispose of used dressing in an appropriate biohazard container.

4. Consult a healthcare professional if any signs of redness develop. This could be a sign of infection and must be treated immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Tegaderm should not be left in position for longer than seven days. This is particularly important where the dressing is being used to retain an intravenous catheter.

• Tegaderm dressing may be used on infected wounds only under the care of a health care professional.

References

• SMTL Dressings Datacard
• 3M Website: ACAD Application and Removal Technique
• 3M Website: IV Application and Removal Technique

Resources

• 3M: Application and Removal Guidelines for Tegaderm I.V. Dressing