Caring for different types of VADs while Bathing or Showering
Overall Do’s and Dont’s of Bathing or Showering
What Products To Use or How To Make Your Own
Showering and Bathing with a Vascular Access Device or a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter can be a challenge. FloMedical and PICCsox are here to help you understand how to best care for your PICC line or VAD, and care for yourself too!
Bath / Shower Do’s
• Baths are better than showers if that is an option.
• Water temperatures should be hot enough to get clean, not sweat.
• Bath/showers should be done as quickly as possible; do not linger.
• Notify your infusion healthcare provider if the dressing becomes wet or begins to lift off the skin.
• Time your bath/showers for when you have a break during/between infusions, if possible.
• When bathing/showering, cover the entire dressing area and all attachments to the VAD.
Bath / Shower Dont’s
• Do not apply oils, lotions, or creams within 2 inches around the dressing.
• Do not submerge your VAD underwater.
Not able to access or afford ready-made barrier options?
You can create your own by following these steps:
1. Have someone available to help, if necessary.
2. Place a layered paper/cloth towel directly over the VAD dressing to absorb any wetness.
3. Using any type of clean and unused plastic that can go around the limb or cut to cover the VAD (ensure there are no holes in the plastic).
4. Using waterproof tape, tape the plastic to the skin. If going around an arm or leg, ensure that the tape is not tight enough to restrict movement or blood flow. DO NOT GET THE TAPE NEAR OR ON THE DRESSING.
5. When done, immediately remove all tape and plastic, carefully, from around the VAD.
6. Inspect the skin and dressing to ensure there is no wetness and that the dressing is not torn.
7. Notify your infusion healthcare provider if the dressing becomes wet, torn or lifting off the skin.
What if my VAD is on my chest or in my neck?
There are commercially prepared adhesive barriers you can purchase. They also can be found at Amazon, medical supply stores, and some pharmacies. There are only a few different brands. These barriers can only be used once and then thrown away. When searching, also use words such as dressing shields to get a few more options. They come in different sizes, so make sure that you purchase a large enough size to cover your VAD and any extension sets.
About AVA®
AVA is an American organisation of healthcare professionals, highly respected throughout the world. Founded in 1985, their aim is to support and promote the specialty of vascular access. The mission of AVA is to build interprofessional leaders in vascular access to advance knowledge, practice, advocacy, and collaboration to improve outcomes.