Chlorhexidine gluconate may help reduce nosocomial infections

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The use of chlorhexidine gluconate for skin antisepsis may help to reduce patients’ risk for nosocomial infections, according to results of a study presented at the 36th International Meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, held here this week.

Frank Corcoran, RN, from Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla., presented results from his study, which indicated that when his hospital implemented a program to utilize wipes containing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate to clean patients’ skin, the rate of bloodstream infections decreased significantly.

According to Corcoran, six wipes were used for each patient following the patient’s nightly bath. Health care workers were instructed to pay particular attention to areas of the body that were most prone to infection, including the neck, armpits, abdomen, groin and behind the knees.

Following its implementation in 2008, this program led to “the complete elimination of urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections for six months” at Parrish Medical Center.

For more information:

• Corcoran F. #8-106. Presented at: The 36th International Meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. June 7-11, 2009. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.