Preadmission Application of 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG): Enhancing Patient Compliance While Maximizing Skin Surface Concentrations. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016 Mar;37(3):254-9
Date
12/29/2015Pubmed ID
26708510DOI
10.1017/ice.2015.303Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84959186127 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 16 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Preadmission skin antisepsis, while controversial, has gained acceptance as a strategy for reducing the risk of SSI. In this study, we analyze the benefit of an electronic alert system for enhancing compliance to preadmission application of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Following informed consent, 100 healthy volunteers in an academic, tertiary care medical center were randomized to 5 chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin application groups: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive applications. Participants were further randomized into 2 subgroups: with or without electronic alert. Skin surface concentrations of CHG (μg/mL) were analyzed using a colorimetric assay at 5 separate anatomic sites.
INTERVENTION: Preadmission application of chlorhexidine gluconate, 2%
RESULTS: Mean composite skin surface CHG concentrations in volunteer participants receiving EA following 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 applications were 1,040.5, 1,334.4, 1,278.2, 1,643.9, and 1,803.1 µg/mL, respectively, while composite skin surface concentrations in the no-EA group were 913.8, 1,240.0, 1,249.8, 1,194.4, and 1,364.2 µg/mL, respectively (ANOVA, P<.001). Composite ratios (CHG concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit the growth of 90% of organisms [MIC90]) for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 applications using the 2% CHG cloth were 208.1, 266.8, 255.6, 328.8, and 360.6, respectively, representing CHG skin concentrations effective against staphylococcal surgical pathogens. The use of an electronic alert system resulted in significant increase in skin concentrations of CHG in the 4- and 5-application groups (P<.04 and P<.007, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest an evidence-based standardized process that includes use of an Internet-based electronic alert system to improve patient compliance while maximizing skin surface concentrations effective against MRSA and other staphylococcal surgical pathogens.
Author List
Edmiston CE, Krepel CJ, Spencer MP, Ferraz AA, Seabrook GR, Lee CJ, Lewis BD, Brown KR, Rossi PJ, Malinowski MJ, Edmiston SE, Ferraz EM, Leaper DJAuthors
Brian D. Lewis MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMichael Malinowski MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Peter J. Rossi MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Anti-Infective Agents, LocalAntisepsis
Baths
Chlorhexidine
Humans
Patient Compliance
Preoperative Care
Skin
Staphylococcus
Surgical Wound Infection
Tertiary Care Centers
