Aquaguard to Prevent Soiling the Central Line Catheter and Dressing

Your team recommends your child use AquaGuard® to protect their central line from getting dirty or wet. It’s important to keep the dressing and catheter clean and dry. If the central line dressing, catheter, cap or tubing gets soiled from water, stool, or bodily fluids, at home or in the hospital, contact your healthcare team immediately. A trained nurse may need to change the dressing, cap, or tubing. The line should not be used until the team says it is safe.

If you are at home and not working with a home infusion agency, call your child’s central line care team right away. If you cannot reach them, go to the emergency room.

Important information about AquaGuard:

• AquaGuard is a moisture barrier used to protect your child’s central line and dressing from possible infection. It can prevent stool, saliva, vomit, urine, or feeding tube drainage from getting on the central line cap and dressing.

• Some children are at a higher risk of getting their central line dirty or wet. Wearing a diaper, having loose stools, frequent vomiting, respiratory secretions, ostomies, and feeding tubes (G tubes and J tubes) may increase this risk.

• If you will use an AquaGuard at home, the healthcare team will show you how to use this product. Practice applying this product before discharge so you know what to do at home.

Instructions for applying AquaGuard to prevent soiling:

Wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 15 seconds.
Choose an AquaGuard size that is large enough to fully cover the central line dressing and catheter. The adhesive edges should not touch the dressing, only the skin around the dressing. The image to the right shows incorrect placement. The AquaGuard is applied directly on the dressing.
Trim the adhesive backing off at least one edge of the AquaGuard before applying it. Do not use scissors near the central line.
Remove the paper backing from one edge of the AquaGuard at a time. Fold a small tab on each paper backing strip so that the backing can be easily removed while applying each side.
Firmly apply one adhesive edge above the top of the central line dressing.
Firmly apply all remaining sides. Start with the side closest to the soiling source. The adhesive should not touch your child's central line. The arrows show the sides where air can escape. Remember: At least one side should be open to air.
If there is excess plastic, pinch it together to make a pleat.
Change the AquaGuard with each central line dressing change or earlier if dirty, wet, or adhesive edges are not intact.

Instructions for removing AquaGuard:

1. Gently peel the AquaGuard down in the same direction as your child's hair growth. Start at the top left or top right corner. Do not disturb the central line dressing or catheter.

2. Do not use scissors to remove the AquaGuard.

3. Throw the AquaGuard away after you remove it. Never re-use an AquaGuard.

Instructions for troubleshooting issues with AquaGuard:

Sticking to Dressing

If the AquaGuard sticks to the central line dressing or the dressing starts to peel up while you remove it, stop, and do not remove it further.

• In the hospital, call your nurse.

• At home, if your child has a home infusion agency, call the agency right away.

• If your child does not have a home infusion agency, call the healthcare team managing the central line or go to the emergency room.

Skin Irritation

If your child’s skin is red, irritated, or has a reaction to AquaGuard, talk to the central line care team before stopping its use. Stopping without guidance may raise the risk of line soiling and complications. Other products or different AquaGuard shapes and sizes may be recommended for children with sensitivities.

Supply Issues

If you didn’t receive enough AquaGuard or were given a different product, contact your home infusion agency. Your insurance plan and home infusion agency may require that another product be provided. 

Your healthcare team may also have samples, and AquaGuard is available for purchase in stores or online.

Call the CHOP team managing your child's central line with any questions or concerns.

Reviewed May 2025 by Jean Abraitis, BSN, RN, Maureen Baylis, MSN, RN, Katy Murtaugh, BSN, RN, Lauren Le Goff, MS, CIC, Samantha Steich, BSN, RN, Melanie Brandan MSN, RN, VA-BC, Megan Lynch, MSN, RN