One of the biggest concerns healthcare providers face in hospital or home health settings is preventing infections. On average, 50 patients die each day in U.S. hospitals due to bloodstream infections, many of which are preventable. The CDC recommends the use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings to prevent intravascular catheter-related infections. Many hospitals and healthcare centers turn to HALOGuard™ as an effective IV dressing choice, helping reduce catheter-related and local infections as well as skin colonization in patients.
HALOGuard™ dressing with CHG offers powerful antimicrobial and antifungal protection. These features, among others, enable HALOGuard™ to effectively inhibit bacterial growth. This advanced dressing can absorb nearly eleven times its weight in liquid, ensuring optimal performance. When applying HALOGuard™ dressing, there are essential do’s and don’ts to follow to maximize its effectiveness. We've outlined the most important guidelines for you below.
HALOGuard™ Application Do’s
When applying HALOGuard™ dressing to a patient, the first thing you will want to do is to prepare the insertion site. Thoroughly cleanse and dry the location you will be applying the HALOGuard™ . Next, you will want to place the HALOGuard™ so the slit is either near or underneath the patient’s catheter. You will also want to make sure the slit is facing toward the catheter. When placing the dressing, you will want to make sure it’s about 1” from the insertion site.
It’s essential that the edges of the dressing are together to maximize the effectiveness. When placing the HALOGuard™, you should place the dressing with the adhesive side down and the printed side up for easy removal. In some situations, if the HALOGuard™ has become stuck to the skin, you can use normal saline to remove it. Make sure that the catheter is aligned with the slit in the dressing and that the edges of the dressing are touching. Once the HALOGuard™ is placed, you should then cover the dressing with an additional bio-clusive dressing and write the date and time on it. HALOGuard™ dressing will maintain effectiveness for one week as long as it is kept dry and intact; however, it’s always smart to check the dressing daily.
When placed correctly, HALOGuard™ is exceptionally effective at protecting patients from the bacteria, microflora, and other organisms present on their own skin that pose a danger to them.
HALOGuard™ Application Don’ts
If HALOGuard™ dressing is used incorrectly or placed improperly you could be missing out on all of the antimicrobial and anti-fungal benefits of the dressing. Below are a few of the “don’ts” you should avoid when applying HALOGuard™ dressing.
To start, always make sure that your HALOGuard™ application site is completely dry. If the site is not completely dry, then some or all of the adhesive material may not be able to form a complete seal. HALOGuard™ dressing requires complete 360-degree skin contact around the catheter for maximum efficacy.
It’s important that the catheter is not sutured too close to the entry point. To achieve proper skin antisepsis during dressing changes, it is important to provide plenty of room for the HALOGuard™ dressing. Avoid placing HALOGuard™ directly on to the catheter. HALOGuard™ must be in complete contact with the skin for it to be effective.
As mentioned above, always make sure the HALOGuard™ is placed with the white foam side is facing down. The antimicrobial foam must always be in contact with the skin. If after application you notice the white foam side is facing you, it must be changed immediately.
You should not place HALOGuard™ directly on or over infected wounds or burns and it should not be used as a treatment of percutaneous device-related infections.
How HALOGuard™ Works
HALOGuard™ is a polyurethane foam disc that has chlorhexidine gluconate, or CHG, within it. HALOGuard™ is used to combat a wide variety of gram positive and gram negative bacteria in patients.
HALOGuard™ dressing provides patients with a steady dose of CHG around the insertion site for a full seven days provided the dressing does not become wet or damaged. The foam disc keeps the insertion site clean and dry, all while simultaneously releasing CHG. HALOGuard™ dressing has been shown to reduce the rate of central line infections up to 69%.
Without the use of HALOGuard™ dressing, bacteria can quickly recolonize on a patient’s skin following antiseptic application. HALOGuard™’s unique mode of action works by slowly releasing the antimicrobial and antifungal CHG from the dressing foam.
HALOGuard™ FAQs
1. Can HALOGuard™ Be Used On Children & Infants?
No. Do not apply HALOGuard™ dressing to children or infants. Use of this product on premature infants has resulted in hypersensitivity reactions and necrosis of the skin. The safety and effectiveness of HALOGuard™ antimicrobial dressing has not been established in children under 16 years of age.
2. When should I use a HALOGuard™ when accessing a port?
Use of HALOGuard™ is not advised for short-term infusions. Only use one if the patient will have their port accessed for more than 24 hours.
3. Can I access a port with the same length needle I usually use when adding a HALOGuard™?
Use of the HALOGuard™ may impact the length of the needle a patient requires. For deeper ports, you should usually err on the side of caution and use a longer needle than you might normally need.
4. Can I use a HALOGuard™ if a patient has a skin sensitivity to chlorhexidine swabs?
No. HALOGuard™ dressing is a chlorhexidine impregnated sponge and will likely cause the patient to react adversely.
5. Are there any types of CVCs or clinical situations where HALOGuard™ should not be used?
Yes, there are three situations where HALOGuard™ may not be appropriate. First, there is no manufacturer’s prohibition against use on tunneled catheters, however, the Renal Service has determined that HALOGuard™ should not be used on tunneled, dialysis catheters. HALOGuard™ may be used on other dialysis catheters and may be used on other tunneled lines if a dressing is needed. HALOGuard™ should not be used on infants less than two months old and premature infants. When it comes to patients with non‐intact skin at the insertion site, for example, severe burns, clinical judgment should be used.
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