Raulji, C.M., Clay, K., Velasco, C., & Yu, L.C. (2015). Daily bathing with chlorhexidine and its effects on nosocomial infection rates in pediatric oncology patients. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 32, 315–321.
To determine the effect of daily bathing with chlorhexidine on nosocomial infection rates
Nosocomial infection rates were compared before and after the implementation of a daily chlorhexidine bathing. A solution of 4% chlorhexidine gluconate was diluted in 10 parts water to 1 part cleanser and was used to rinse all body surfaces except the face.
The infection rate was lower in the study group compared to historical controls only in those aged 12–21 years (p = 0.008). This age group also showed a higher prevalence of neutropenia (p = 0.039) in the study group. Overall, no significant differences existed in infection rates between study groups.
The results did not show an overall reduction in infections with daily chlorhexidine bathing, although some benefit was seen among older adult patients.
The findings did not provide definitive evidence that daily chlorhexidine bathing reduces hospital-acquired infections; however, the rates among older adult patients, who also had a higher prevalence of neutropenia, improved. Chlorhexidine bathing is a simple and potentially low cost intervention that may have some benefit for neutropenic patients. Further research in this intervention is warranted.