• S Karki and A C Cheng.
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
• J. Hosp. Infect. 2012 Oct 1;82(2):71-84.

BackgroundThe topical use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is intended to reduce bacterial density on patients' skin.AimTo assess the impact of body bath or skin cleansing with CHG-impregnated or CHG-saturated washcloths in preventing healthcare-associated infections and colonization.MethodsThis systematic review included published randomized controlled trials, cross-over trials, cohort studies and before-and-after studies. Studies were included if they compared the use of CHG in washcloths with any of the following; soap and water bathing, routine advice, no intervention.FindingsSixteen published studies and four conference abstracts were included for systematic review. Nine studies reported the impact of CHG on incidence of central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI); the incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26-0.71]. Five studies assessed the impact of CHG washcloths on incidence of surgical site infection (SSI); the RR was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.17-0.49). Four studies reported the impact on vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization; the IRR was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.32-0.59). Three studies reported the impact on meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization rate; the IRR was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.24-0.95). Six studies reported the impact on VRE infection; the IRR was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.42-1.93). Six studies reported the impact on MRSA infection; the IRR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.51-1.30). There was no reduction in acinetobacter infection rates in the three studies where this was reported.ConclusionThese results suggest that the use of non-rinse CHG application significantly reduces the risk of CLABSI, SSI and colonization with VRE or MRSA, but not infection.Copyright © 2012 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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