Chlorhexidine-Gel Dressings Prevent Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

Chlorhexidine-gel dressings have the same beneficial effect as chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges but allow visualization of the insertion site.

Rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) have dropped dramatically with standardization of insertion and care. These interventions include use of maximal sterile barriers during placement, appropriate antiseptic skin cleansing prior to insertion, and immediate removal of central lines when no longer needed. As most CR-BSIs are caused by organisms that track along the catheter from the insertion site, an additional opportunity to prevent infection might be to keep this site sterile.

French investigators enrolled 1879 patients (who received 4163 catheters for both central and arterial lines) in a randomized, multicenter trial of chlorhexidine-gel dressings, highly adhesive dressings, or standard dressings for vascular cathete…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar