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Investigators recently demonstrated that chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing could reduce transmission of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a medical ICU (MICU) (see Journal Watch Infectious Diseases Feb 24 2006). Now, in a prospective, crossover study partially supported by industry, the same research group has examined the effects of CHG bathing on rates of catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CA-BSI) in MICU patients.
The investigators randomly selected one of two 11-bed MICUs in which to bathe patients daily with 2% CHG–impregnated washcloths; patients in the other (control) unit were bathed daily with soap and water. After a 28-week intervention period and a 2-week “washout,” each MICU was crossed over to the other cleansing p…