Prevention of bloodstream infections by use of daily chlorhexidine baths for patients at a long-term acute care hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of bathing patients with 2% chlorhexidine on the rates of central vascular catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) at a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH).


METHODS
Quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
A 70-bed LTACH in the greater Chicago area.


METHODS
All consecutive patients admitted to the LTACH during the period from February 2006 to February 2008.


METHODS
For patients at the LTACH, daily 2% chlorhexidine baths were instituted during the period from September 2006 until May 2007 (ie, the intervention period). A preintervention period (in which patients were given daily soap-and-water baths) and a postintervention period (in which patients were given daily nonmedicated baths and weekly 2% chlorhexidine baths) were also observed. The rates of CVC-associated BSI and ventilator-associated pneumonia were analyzed for the intervention period and for the pre- and postintervention periods.


RESULTS
The rates of CVC-associated BSI were 9.5, 3.8, and 6.4 cases per 1,000 CVC-days during the preintervention, intervention, and postintervention periods, respectively. By the end of the intervention period, there was a net reduction of 99% in the CVC-associated BSI rate. No changes were seen in the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia during the preintervention and intervention periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily chlorhexidine baths appeared to be an effective intervention to reduce rates of CVC-associated BSI in an LTACH.
Munoz-Price
L Silvia
LS
Medical Specialists, Munster, Indiana, USA. smunozprice@med.miami.edu
Hota
Bala
B
Stemer
Alexander
A
Weinstein
Robert A
RA
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001494:Baths; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008134:Long-Term Care
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine