Impact of Early Dressing Removal on Tunneled Central Venous Catheters: A Piloting Study.

Background: Central Venous Catheters (CVC) are linked with Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CLABSI) or exit-site infections. Dressings may reduce the rate of infection, but they are uncomfortable, do not eliminate the risk of infection, and in some cases become the cause of infection. Aim: This study evaluates the impact of early CVC dressing removal on CLABSI, exit-site infections, and patient quality of life in an oncology setting.