Efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate of different concentrations in preventing short peripheral catheter-related infections: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the efficacy of different concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate in the prevention of short peripheral catheter-related infections.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study consisted of 96 patients who had short peripheral catheter. Patients were randomly assigned to apply skin antisepsis with either 1%, 2% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Microbial cultures were collected at the site surrounding catheter insertion before catheterization, within the first and the 96th hours after catheterization to assess microbial growth.

RESULTS

Compared to the pre-catheterization period, the number of Gram (+) bacteria detected at the 96th hour post-catheterization decreased by 76.4% in 1% chlorhexidine gluconate group, 90% in 2% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate group and 30% in 70% isopropyl alcohol group in the skin swabs.

CONCLUSIONS

2% chlorhexidine gluconate was most effective antiseptic in preventing short peripheral catheter-related infections than other concentrations.