A: Any time anything such as an intravenous catheter penetrates the skin, there is a break in the skin's protective system, and therefore the possibility exists of that area, another affected area or blood becoming infected.

Organisms that ordinarily live on the skin can become harmful if they enter the body. Most infection is spread by hand contact; hands and fingers carry the most organisms. Because your IV catheter and IV site need to remain as clean as possible, everything touching them must be sterile. This is why you must wash your hands before you put on gloves to change your dressing or perform other care of your IV site.

It's equally important to wash your hands thoroughly afterward so that you do not spread any potential infection to other people or other parts of your body.