Reducing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in the ICU With a Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Sponge (BIOPATCH)

Reducing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in the ICU With a Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Sponge (BIOPATCH)

We proposed to perform a prospective randomized controlled trial to study the effect of the use of a commercially-available chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge (Biopatch) as part of central venous catheter care on catheter-related bloodstream infections among patients in two Barnes-Jewish Hospital ICUs.

At the time of the inception of this study, there were no published randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of the Biopatch in reducing bloodstream infections. Preliminary data has shown that the Biopatch decreases colonization of the catheter exit site and thereby decrease bloodstream infections but this was at that time only theoretical.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients who are admitted to the ICU with a central venous catheter (i.e. triple lumen catheters, quadruple lumen catheters, percutaneously inserted central catheters, arterial catheters, intraaortic balloon pumps, Swan-Ganz catheters).

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients who are not enrolled into the trial within 7 days of having the catheter being placed and patients who are allergic to chlorhexidine.