Prospective randomised trial of povidone-iodine, alcohol, and chlorhexidine for prevention of infection associated with central venous and arterial catheters.
More than 90% of all intravascular device-related septicaemias are due to central venous or arterial catheters. To assess the efficacy of cutaneous antisepsis to prevent catheter-associated infection, we prospectively studied three antiseptics for disinfection of patients' central venous and arterial catheter insertion sites in a surgical intensive care unit. 668 catheters were randomised to 10% povidone-iodine, 70% alcohol, or 2% aqueous chlorhexidine disinfection of the site before insertion and for site care every other day thereafter. Chlorhexidine was associated with the lowest incidence of local catheter-related infection (2.3 per 100 catheters vs 7.1 and 9.3 for alcohol and povidone-iodine, respectively, p = 0.02) and catheter-related bacteraemia (0.5 vs 2.3 and 2.6). Of the 14 infusion-related bacteraemias (4 due to contaminated infusate or catheter hub, 10 due to infected catheters), 1 was in the chlorhexidine group and 13 were in the other two groups (odds ratio 0.16, p = 0.04). We conclude that use of 2% chlorhexidine, rather than 10% povidone-iodine or 70% alcohol, for cutaneous disinfection before insertion of an intravascular device and for post-insertion site care can substantially reduce the incidence of device-related infection.
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
D G
DG
Maki
M
M
Ringer
C J
CJ
Alvarado
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D000433:1-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine