title: Effect of daily cleaning with chlorhexidine on the incidence of contamination of blood cultures in the critical patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of daily cleaning with 4% chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges in decreasing contamination of blood cultures in critically-ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, quasi-experimental, longitudinal, single-centre trial. During 24 months (April 2013 to March 2015), we analysed 237 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, divided into 2groups: one underwent daily cleaning with common soap (control group, n= 108), and the other with chlorhexidine (intervention group, n= 109). Demographic variables, pathology group, severity scores, ICU and hospital length of stay and mortality, and time passed since cleaning to blood culture extraction were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed a higher proportion of contaminated blood cultures during the control group period in contrast with the intervention group period (15 vs. 6.3%), with a significant difference: 9.23% (CI95%: 1,34-16,7%), with an odds ratio of 2,73 (CI95%: 1,13-6,63). Surveillance analysis showed lower probability of blood culture contamination within the 18hours following daily cleaning. Cleaning without chlorhexidine increased contamination of blood cultures (HR: 3,05; CI95%: 1,14-8,12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of 4% chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges for daily cleaning of critically-ill patients decreases blood culture contamination incidence and its protection lasts for almost 18h.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garrido-Benedicto
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cueto-Quintana
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España. Electronic address: mixtligf@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farré-Termens
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mariné-Cabré
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riba-Reig
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva,. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molina-Chueca
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001494:Baths; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D000071997:Blood Culture; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016638:Critical Illness; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D012915:Soaps
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012915:Soaps; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Baño con clorhexidina; Chlorhexidine bathing; Contaminated blood cultures; Critically-ill patient; Hemocultivos contaminados; Paciente crítico