Use of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing reduced catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by Gram-positive microorganisms

• Published in: Pakistan journal of medical sciences Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 347 - 351
• Main Authors: Ergul, Ayse Betul, Gokcek, Ikbal, Ozcan, Alper, Cetin, Serife, Gultekin, Nurkan, Torun, Yasemin Altuner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Knowledge Bylanes 01.03.2018; Professional Medical Publications
• Subjects: Catheterization; Health aspects; Original; Intensive care; Catheter securement; Catheter-related bloodstream infection; Chlorhexidine dressing
• ISSN: 1682-024X; 1681-715X
• DOI: 10.12669/pjms.342.14810

We compared the protective effects of secure Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)-containing dressings with those of non-antimicrobial transparent dressings. This prospective, comparative, single-center clinical study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit from October 2014 to March 2017. The inclusion criterion was catheterization of the jugular vein for ≥48 hour. The study was conducted in two phases. Non-antimicrobial standard dressings were applied both before and after the CHG- dressing phase to negate any coincidental temporal effect. During the standard-dressing phases, the dressings did not include any antimicrobial; transparent CHG-impregnated dressings were applied during the test phase. All patients were divided into two groups by the type of dressing applied (standard and CHG-containing dressings). The standard- and CHG-dressing groups contained 68 and 63 patients, respectively. The median durations of catheterization were 13 (8-22) and 14 (2-28) days, respectively ( >0.05). The Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) rate was somewhat lower in the CHG-dressing group (20.6 vs. 26.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( >0.05). In the CHG-dressing group, CRBSIs caused by Gram-positive microorganisms totaled 0%, but the figure was 8.8% in the control group ( =0.028). CHG dressings reduced CRBSIs caused by Gram-positive microorganisms.