3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
To determine if daily bathing with chlorhexidine impregnated washcloths will reduce the incidence of MRSA and VRE within an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or ward setting.
The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of daily chlorhexidine bathing would decrease the incidence of MRSA and VRE colonization and healthcare associated Bloodstream Infections (BSI) among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.
Patients in the intensive care unit are at risk for many infections because the severity of illness and the procedures necessary to care for them. This study is designed to look at a change in bathing procedure as a method to reduce infections. Currently, patients at John H. Stroger Hospital are cleansed with soap and water. However, preliminary data from a previous study at Rush University Medical Center showed that a chlorhexidine (CHG)-impregnated cloth (2% CHG Antiseptic Cloth system, Sage Products, Inc.) decreased skin bacteria and may lessen bacteria in the blood stream. The 2% CHG Antiseptic Cloth system is a non-irritating, no-rinse, cleansing and moisturizing product that contains 2% chlorhexidine gluconate. The goal of this proposed study is to further evaluate the effectiveness of the 2% CHG Antiseptic Cloth system compared with soap and water in cleansing the skin and preventing bacteria from entering the bloodstream.