title: Clinical evaluation of a chlorhexidine intravascular catheter gel dressing on short-term central venous catheters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A major source of microbial colonization of short-term central venous catheters (CVC) is the patients' endogenous skin microorganisms located at the CVC insertion site. The aim of this study was to determine if a transparent film dressing incorporating a 2% (weight/weight) chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) gel decreases CVC and insertion site microbial colonization compared with a nonantimicrobial dressing in adult patients in critical care.
  
  
  METHODS
  On CVC removal, samples for microbiological investigation were taken from both the skin surrounding the CVC insertion site and also from sutures securing the CVC. The sutures and intradermal and tip sections of the CVC were also collected for microbiological investigation. Microorganisms recovered from the samples were subsequently tested for susceptibility to CHG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms recovered from the CVC insertion site, suture site, sutures, and catheter surface in the CHG dressing group (n = 136) compared with the nonantimicrobial dressing group (n = 137). There was no significant difference in susceptibility to CHG between the microorganisms isolated from the CHG and standard dressing study patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A film dressing incorporating a CHG gel pad significantly reduced the number of microorganisms at the CVC insertion and suture sites with concomitant reduced catheter colonization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Tarja J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Karpanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Computer Laboratory, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Corporate Division, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: tom.elliott@uhb.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Thomas S J
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000382:microbiology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003422:Critical Care; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013537:Sutures / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Catheter-related infection; Central venous catheter; Chlorhexidine; Critical care patient; Intravascular dressing; Sutures