title: Tegaderm™ CHG dressing significantly improves catheter-related infection rate in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: Catheter-related infections are an important clinical problem in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Catheter-related bloodstream infections have a negative effect on survival, hospitalization and cost of care. Tegaderm™ chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) dressing may be useful to reduce catheter-related infection rates.
  
  
  
  We performed a study to assess the efficacy of Tegaderm™ CHG dressing for reducing catheter-related infections. We designed a prospective randomized cross-over study with a scheme of two treatments, Tegaderm™ CHG dressing versus standard dressing, and two periods of six months. Catheter-related infection rate was the primary outcome. We enrolled 59 prevalent hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  
  Catheter-related infection rate per 1000 catheter days was reduced from 1.21 in patients using standard dressing to 0.28 in patients with Tegaderm™ CHG dressing (p = 0.02). Catheter-related bloodstream infection rate per 1000 catheter days was equal to 0.09 in patients with Tegaderm™ CHG dressing versus 0.65 in patients with standard dressing (p = 0.05). Annual total healthcare costs for catheter-related bloodstream infections were estimated equal to EUR62,459 versus EUR300,399, respectively, for patients with Tegaderm™ CHG versus standard dressing.
  
  
  
  This is the first prospective study to show that Tegaderm™ CHG dressing significantly reduces catheter-related infection rates in hemodialysis patients.
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Righetti
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Palmieri
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Oscar
authors: O
authors: Bracchi
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Prencipe
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Bruschetta
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Colombo
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Brenna
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Stefani
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Amar
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Alfio
authors: A
authors: Scalia
authors: Renal Unit, Uboldo Hospital, Cernusco s/N, Milan - Italy.
authors: Ferruccio
authors: F
authors: Conte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine