Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing: Patient perceptions, practices, and barriers at a tertiary care center

Ginger Vanhoozer; Ian Lovern Bs; Nadia Masroor; Salma Abbas; Michelle Doll; Kaila Cooper; Michael P Stevens; Gonzalo Bearman

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2018.08.002

Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing: Patient perceptions, practices, and barriers at a tertiary care center

Am J Infect Control. 2019 Mar;47(3):349-350. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.08.002. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Authors

Ginger Vanhoozer¹, Ian Lovern Bs², Nadia Masroor², Salma Abbas², Michelle Doll³, Kaila Cooper², Michael P Stevens³, Gonzalo Bearman³

Affiliations

¹ Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA. Electronic address: ginger.vanhoozer@gmail.com.
² Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA.
³ Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA.

PMID: 30322813
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.08.002

Abstract

Many studies indicate that daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections. In this study, we found that patient perceptions can be a barrier to bathing practice, and many independent-care patients do not use CHG bathing products correctly. Furthermore, electronic medical record documentation may be a reliable tool to assess CHG bathing compliance.

Keywords: CHG; Decolonization; Electronic Medical Record Review; Non-Intensive Care Units; Self-care patient; Skin cleansing.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage*
Baths / methods*
Chlorhexidine / administration & dosage
Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives*
Cross Infection / prevention & control*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control
Disinfection / methods*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Tertiary Care Centers
Young Adult

Substances

Anti-Infective Agents, Local
chlorhexidine gluconate
Chlorhexidine