Chlorhexidine Bathing in the ICU

Chlorhexidine bathing significantly reduced the acquisition of MRSA and VRE, and the incidence of VRE bacteremia, in ICU patients.

In previous single-center studies (both partially supported by industry), bathing ICU patients daily with chlorhexidine reduced the acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (JW Infect Dis Feb 24 2006) and the incidence of catheter-associated bloodstream infection (JW Infect Dis Oct 31 2007). Investigators now report results from a CDC-funded multicenter study of this intervention.

Nurses in six ICUs at four academic medical centers performed daily bed bathing of all patients (from the neck down). A 6-month baseline period, during which nonmedicated soap and water were used, was followed by a 6-month intervention period using chlorhexidine gluconate (4 oz. of 4% solution mixed in warm water). Throughout the study period, surveill…

Reviewing Author

Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS