The Association Between Chlorhexidine Bathing and Central Line-Associated Infections in Medical Intensive Care Units

The Association Between Chlorhexidine Bathing Every Other Day and Central Line-Associated Infections in Medical Intensive Care Units: An Observational Cohort Study

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study assessing the relationship between regular bathing using 2% CHG wipes every other day and the occurrence of central line-associated infections (CLABSI) in patients within the medical intensive care unit (MICU).

This study defined the post-intervention period as July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2022. During this period, one of the three medical intensive care units (MICUs) in NTUH implemented chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing as part of their daily care routine (CHG group). This decision was made in response to a higher incidence rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia observed in that particular MICU during the preceding six months (pre-intervention period: January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2017), compared to the other two MICUs. The remaining two MICUs continued to provide usual care, which involved bathing patients with towels soaked in water and soap on a daily basis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all patients who were admitted to the MICU between January 2017 and June 2022

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients aged under 18 years old