This video will show you how to put a waterproof cover over your CVC before you shower. It will also teach you how to shower using a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens®.
Show transcript
This video will show you how to put a waterproof cover over your central venous catheter, also called a CVC, before you shower. It will also teach you how to shower using Hibiclens.
You can shower with your CVC in place using a waterproof cover that goes over your dressing, such as AquaGuard.
Every time you shower, cover your dressing with a new waterproof cover to keep it from getting wet.
While you’re in the hospital, your nurse will put the waterproof cover on for you. After you’re discharged, you will need to do it yourself.
To put on the waterproof cover, peel off the top and side strips. Place the top edge above your dressing and smooth the cover down over your dressing. Don’t let the tape on the cover touch your dressing, because it could pull your dressing off when you take the cover off after you shower.
Do the same for the bottom part of the waterproof cover, making sure the bottom edge is below your dressing. Make sure the lumens of your CVC are tucked into the waterproof cover and are completely covered.
When you’re showering with the waterproof cover, use warm water, not hot water, and don’t shower for longer than 15 minutes. This will help keep the waterproof cover from coming off.
Don’t put your CVC completely underwater, like in a bathtub or pool, even with the waterproof cover on.
After your shower, dry the waterproof cover before you take it off. If your dressing gets wet, tell your doctor or nurse right away. It needs to be changed.
While you have a CVC, it’s very important to keep your skin clean to lower your risk of infection. A good way to do this is to shower with Hibiclens every day. Hibiclens is a skin cleanser that kills germs on your skin for up to 24 hours after you use it. Showering with Hibiclens will lower your risk of infection.
You can buy Hibiclens at your local pharmacy or online.
Don’t use Hibiclens if you’re allergic to chlorhexidine, and don’t use it on children who are younger than 2 months old.
Follow these steps when you shower with Hibiclens.
First, use your normal shampoo to wash your hair. Make sure to rinse your head well.
Next, use your usual soap to wash your face and genital area, then rinse your body well with warm water.
Open the bottle of Hibiclens and pour some into your hand or a clean, wet washcloth.
Move away from the shower stream so you don’t rinse the Hibiclens off too soon.
Rub the Hibiclens gently over your body from your neck to your feet. Don’t put it on your face or genital area. If you have any wounds, don’t put the Hibiclens on the wounds.
Move back into the shower stream to rinse off the Hibiclens with warm water.
Remember to keep your shower shorter than 15 minutes and use warm water, not hot water.
After your shower, use a clean towel to dry yourself off. Remember to dry the waterproof cover before you take it off.
If you’re in the hospital, your nurse can give you a lotion that’s okay to use after showering with Hibiclens. Only use the lotion your nurse gives you. Don’t put on any other lotion, cream, powder, deodorant, makeup, perfume, or cologne after your shower.
You or your caregiver should tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any redness, swelling, or drainage around your CVC; if your needleless connector falls off; if you have a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher; if you have chills; if your dressing is damaged, loose, wet, or dirty; if you have a break or leak in your CVC line; or if you have an unexplained problem with your CVC.
If you’re in the hospital, use your call button to tell your nurse.
If you’re not in the hospital, call your doctor’s office to tell them. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the numbers they gave you.
After 5:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask for the doctor on call for your doctor.
For more information about caring for your CVC, visit our website, www.mskcc.org/pe, and search “CVC”.
For more information about showering with Hibiclens, read the resource How to Shower Using Hibiclens®. You can find it online at www.mskcc.org/pe/hibiclens.
