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Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers
SPP8.4 Young Hospital Authority Investigators Presentations 14:30 Room 221
Using Self-prepared 2% Chlorhexidine Impregnated Cloths for Bed-bath in Intensive Care Unit
Ng NM, Chau OT, Chau KY, Fung K
Infection Control Team, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction
The topical use of chlorhexidine (CHG) reduces bacterial density on patients’ skin. It is increasingly used to prevent the
transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and hospital-acquired infections.
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of daily bathing with CHG impregnated cloths in the prevention of MRSA colonisation and infections
among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
Methodology Tuesday, 19 May
All patients were screened for MRSA swabs using swabs from the nares and perineal area on admission and discharge from
ICU. Before implementation of this project, all ICU patients were bathed by non-medicated soap and water daily. During
the one year study period, patients were bathed by 2% CHG-impregnated cloths daily. Patients with CHG allergy or known
MRSA patients were excluded from this study. No other new infection control measures were implemented during the study
period. Staff was trained on the technique for preparation of CHG-impregnated cloths and bathing. Skin reactions that
may be attributable to CHG bath were reported using a standard form. The cloths were freshly prepared daily. Each packs
consisted of 10 pieces of 15x15 cm2 non-woven wipes were soaked thoroughly with 250ml of non-rinse 2% CHG solution.
They were kept warm at 40ºC before use. The incidence of MRSA acquisition and infection between the study period and the
year before were compared by Poisson regression analysis.
Results
A total of 1,874 patients were enrolled during the study. The overall MRSA acquisition and infection rate decreased from 4.55
(bath with non-medicated soap) to 1.77 (bath with 2% CHG) cases per 1,000 patient-days (p= 0.0216). The MRSA bacteremia
rate remained zero between two periods. No significant adverse skin effects were detected during the study period. Our
results suggest that the use of non-rinse CHG bath in ICU can reduce the acquisition and infection of MRSA.
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