Tegaderm brand transparent dressings can be used to cover and protect catheter sites and wounds, to maintain a moist environment for wound healing, and to secure devices to the skin.

• Provides a waterproof, sterile barrier to external contaminants including liquids, bacteria and viruses. In vitro testing shows that the transparent film provides a viral barrier from viruses 27nm in diameter or larger while the dressing remains intact without leakage
• Made with a hypoallergenic, latex-free adhesive that is gentle to the skin yet holds catheters and other devices in place
• Conformable: Dressing flexes with skin for greater patient comfort
• Picture-frame delivery makes placement accurate and easy, minimizing potential to stick to gloves or to itself
• Dressing and device securement condition type: Adhesive trauma, skin injuries-mechanical, tube and amp; Device securement-lightweight tubes and amp; Devices

This item is FSA (Flexible Spending Account) eligible.

1. Select a dressing size that will adequately cover the catheter and insertion site or wound. Ensure at least a one inch margin of dressing adheres to healthy, dry skin. 2. Prepare the catheter insertion site or wound according to your institution's approved protocol. 3. To ensure good adhesion, clip excess hair where the dressing will be placed. Do not shave the skin because of the potential for microabrasions. 4. Make sure skin is free of soaps, detergents, and lotions. Allow all preps and protectants to dry thoroughly before applying the dressing. Wet preps and soap residues can cause irritation if trapped under the dressing. Additionally, adhesive products do not adhere well to wet or oily surfaces. 5. Do not stretch the Tegaderm dressing during application. Applying an adhesive product with tension can produce mechanical trauma to the skin. Stretching can also cause adhesion failure. 6. The adhesive of Tegaderm dressing is pressure-sensitive. To ensure best adhesion, always apply firm pressure to the dressing from the center out to the edges. 7. To tailor a dressing for a special application, use sterile scissors to cut the dressing into desired shapes or sizes before removing the printed liner. For best results and ease of application, cut the pieces so that a portion of the frame remains on at least two sides. Removal hints: Support the skin when removing Tegaderm dressing. For removal from I.V. sites, also stabilize the catheter to prevent dislodgement. Use one of the following removal techniques based on your patient's skin condition and your own personal preference: Gently grasp one edge and slowly peel the dressing from the skin in the direction of hair growth. Try to peel the dressing back over itself, rather than pulling it up from the skin. Grasp one edge of the dressing and gently pull it straight out to stretch and release adhesion. Apply an adhesive remover suitable for use on skin to the adhesive edge while gently peeling from the skin. To aid in lifting a dressing edge, secure a piece of surgical tape to one corner and rub firmly. Use the tape as a tab to help you slowly peel back the dressing.

Precautions: Stop any bleeding at the site before applying the dressing. Do not stretch the dressing during application as tension can cause skin trauma. Make sure the skin is clean, free of soap residue and lotion and allowed to dry thoroughly before applying the dressing to prevent skin irritation and to ensure good adhesion. The dressing may be used on an infected site, only when under the care of a health care professional. Antimicrobial ointments containing polyethylene glycols may compromise the strength of the Tegaderm HP transparent film dressings. Tegaderm transparent dressings should not be re-sterilized by gamma, E-beam or steam methods. Do not use if package is damaged or opened.