ValGuard to Protect Central Line Catheter Caps and IV Connections

Your team recommends your child use ValGuard™ to protect their central line catheter cap or IV connections from getting dirty or wet. If the catheter cap or IV connections gets wet or dirty from water, stool or bodily fluids, at home or in the hospital, contact your healthcare team right away. A trained nurse may need to change the catheter cap. Soiled tubing cannot be re-used and will need to be thrown away. 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 ValGuard:

• ValGuard is a moisture barrier. It can prevent stool, saliva, vomit, urine, or feeding tube drainage from getting on the central line catheter cap and central line connections.

• 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.

• Children who are at a higher risk of getting their central line dirty or wet will still benefit from using ValGuard in addition to a protective alcohol cap.

• Change ValGuard when dirty or wet, when removing IV tubing, and when accessing the central line.

• 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 ValGuard to protect the cap and connections:

Wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 15 seconds.
Check that the cap and all IV tubing connections are secure.
Use an alcohol pad to clean the outside of all tubing and connections that will be covered by the ValGuard. This includes wiping the catheter cap, central line catheter, IV tubing, or protective alcohol cap.
Clean area for 15 seconds.
Allow to dry for 15 seconds. Do not blow or fan over tubing and connections after using the alcohol pad.
Remove the paper backing from the center of the ValGuard.
Place the IV connection site in the center of the ValGuard.
Place the catheter cap in the center of the ValGuard if using to cover the cap when not connected to IV tubing.
Fold the ValGuard in half over the connection. Pinch the bottom edges of the ValGuard near the blue tear away strip to anchor the tubing.
Grasp the bottom of the ValGuard from the outside. Only hold the clear plastic area. Do not pinch the white paper backing.
Starting at one edge, reach inside the ValGuard and grasp the edges of the paper backing.
Peel the white paper backing off slowly as you pinch the adhesive of the ValGuard together. Continue until the backing is fully removed.
Press the edges of the ValGuard together along the border to fully seal.

Instructions for removing ValGuard:

1. Wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 15 seconds.  

2. Locate blue pull tab at the center of either end of ValGuard. Pull the blue tear away strip completely off the ValGuard.

3. Gently peel ValGuard away from the line and throw in the trash.

4. Do not use scissors to remove the ValGuard.

5. Do not re-use a ValGuard.

6. Clean the cap with an alcohol pad (15 second clean, 15 second dry) before any central line care.

Instructions for troubleshooting issues with ValGuard:

ValGuard gets dirty or wet

If you are in the hospital, call your nurse immediately. The central line cap and any tubing may need to be clamped and changed to reduce the risk of infection.

If you are home:

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

2. If you have previously been told by your managing team that your infusion can be paused, then stop your child’s infusion and clamp the central line.

3. Use a clean cloth to wipe down all tubing and the outside of the ValGuard.

4. Remove the ValGuard. Inspect the central line catheter, IV tubing, and catheter cap.

   • If there is no sign that the cap or tubing is dirty or wet, apply a new ValGuard following steps above.

   • If cap or tubing is dirty or wet or you are unsure, follow the steps below.

Tubing connections or threading of cap gets dirty or wet

1. Soiling or fluid may get into threading of cap if barrier fails or is not in use.

   Use a clean cloth to wipe away any moisture or body fluid that got on the IV tubing, catheter, or cap.

2. Use an alcohol pad to wipe down all tubing and the outside of any connections or cap. Clean for 15 seconds. Allow to dry for 15 seconds. Do not blow or fan the connections or cap.

3. If your child is followed by a home infusion company, immediately call the office. You will be directed on the next steps and discuss arrangements for possible tubing or cap change.

4. 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.

Supply Issues

Talk to the central line care team before stopping use of ValGuard. Stopping without guidance may raise the risk of line soiling and complications. 

• Other products can be used if your child is sensitive to the ValGuard .

• If you didn’t receive enough ValGuard 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 ValGuard 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