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

Abstract

Objective: We compared the protective effects of secure Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)-containing dressings with those of non-antimicrobial transparent dressings.

Methods: 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).

Results: 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 (p>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 (p>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 (p=0.028).

Conclusions: CHG dressings reduced CRBSIs caused by Gram-positive microorganisms. 

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.342.14810

How to cite this:Ergul AB, Gokcek I, Ozcan A, Cetin S, Gultekin N, Torun YA . Use of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing reduced catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by Gram‑positive microorganisms. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(2):347-351.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.342.14810

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