Summary

Advice

The technology described in this briefing is Tegaderm CHG IV securement dressing. It is used to secure vascular access devices and contains an integrated chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) gel pad. This pad is designed to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections.
The innovative aspects are that it is the only securement dressing available containing CHG. The dressing is transparent so that the access site can be continually monitored.
The intended place in therapy would be to secure vascular access devices for haemodialysis in people with tunnelled central venous catheters, intravenous (IV) chemotherapy in people with cancer, people who need total parenteral nutrition and children's intensive care. NICE has published guidance on using Tegaderm CHG IV securement dressings in critically ill adults who need a central venous or arterial catheter in intensive care or high dependency units.
The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 6 studies, including 3 randomised controlled trials, with a total of 1,273 people, including children needing vascular access in intensive care and adults needing vascular access for chemotherapy, dialysis, or total parental nutrition. They show that Tegaderm CHG is more effective at reducing catheter-related infections than standard sterilised dressings in people needing dialysis or chemotherapy.
Key uncertainties around the evidence or technology are that the evidence for reducing catheter-related infections in children's intensive care and adult total parenteral nutrition are from small studies.
The cost of Tegaderm CHG is £4 to £5.04 per unit (excluding VAT).