A STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF DRESSINGS IN PREVENTING INFECTIONS OF CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS CATHETER EXIT SITES

This paper describes a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of dressings in preventing catheter exit site infections in patients unde rgoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). It has been c arried out in the form of a pilot study. The background to the study i s described and the literature is reviewed. This revealed that it is a n important field of research. Exit site infections are the main cause of morbidity and treatment failure in CAPD patients. The rationale fo r carrying the study out, the findings and the implications for furthe r study are reported and discussed. There is little guidance in curren t literature for clinicians on the prevention of catheter exit site in fection. Patients are difficult to recruit to research studies. Practi sing nurses need training and careful management as data collectors.