Evaluation of ChloraPrep (2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol) for skin antisepsis in preparation for blood culture collection.
OBJECTIVE
Blood culture contamination is a significant adverse event. This study evaluated whether using ChloraPrep (2% alcoholic chlorhexidine) instead of 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes reduced contamination rates on two Medical Assessment Units (MAU1 and MAU2).


METHODS
ChloraPrep was introduced for 2 to 3-month intervention periods, initially on MAU1 and MAU2 and subsequently on MAU1 only. Contamination rates were compared with a matched time period in the preceding year and the three month period before ChloraPrep introduction. Education regarding venepucture technique was delivered.


RESULTS
Contamination rates for the time matched pre-intervention period were 17.3% (51/295), MAU1 and 13.5% (31/230), MAU2. During the initial period of ChloraPrep use, rates declined (MAU1; 6.6% [P<0.001], MAU2; 8.5% [P=0.11] both Fisher's Exact Test). However, rates had already started to fall prior to ChloraPrep introduction. There was a non-significant difference between contamination rates in the comparator period immediately prior to ChloraPrep introduction and rates during the first intervention period (MAU1 and MAU2; P>0.05). During the second intervention period, absence of ChloraPrep on MAU2 did not significantly affect contamination (P=0.41) on this ward.


CONCLUSIONS
ChloraPrep skin antisepsis did not give a significant reduction in blood culture contamination, but education may have led to the trend to lower contamination.
Department of Microbiology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, United Kingdom. elizabeth.mclellan@sth.nhs.uk
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McLellan
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Townsend
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Parsons
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000985:Antisepsis / Q000379:methods*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004493:Education; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*
D004202:Disinfectants; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D019840:2-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine