Hemodialysis catheter outcomes pilot study: no dressing coverage with prescribed showering

This six-month prospective, multi-site study incorporated no dressing coverage over hemodialysis central venous catheter exit sites and compared the outcomes of two groups of patients receiving incenter hemodialysis: a shower group and a non-shower group. Outcomes included exit site infection rates, tunnel infection rates, and catheter-related bloodstream infection rates. The study enrolled 40 patients--31 patients in the shower group and nine patients in the non-shower group. The study was initially designed as a randomized controlled study, but after a month of enrolling patients, most patients insisted on being in the shower group. Results for both groups demonstrated infection rates that were not statistically different and were below levels reported in other studies. The qualitative satisfaction in ability to shower by patients in this study was an additional important finding.