More Data on the Effectiveness of CHG Bathing to Prevent ICU Infections

A multicenter study in community hospitals found daily chlorhexidine gluconate bathing of intensive care unit patients effective in reducing infections.

Daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing of intensive care unit (ICU) patients has been advocated as effective for preventing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), despite some recent contradictory results (e.g., NEJM JW Infect Dis Mar 2013 and N Engl J Med 2013; 368:533 and Lancet 2013; 381:1099; NEJM JW Infect Dis Mar 2015 and JAMA 2015; 313:369). To further assess the efficacy of this practice, investigators performed a pragmatic, interrupted time series analysis of 13 types of HAIs occurring in 33 community hospitals over a 6-year period; 17 of the hospitals instituted daily CHG bathing in their ICUs and 16 did not.

Of 1932 months of observation, a mean of 33 months were contributed following implementation by hospitals that institut…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

More Data on the Effectiveness of CHG Bathing to Prevent ICU Infections

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Reviewing Author