Efficacy of adding 2% (w/v) chlorhexidine gluconate to 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol for skin disinfection prior to peripheral venous cannulation

Heather Small; Debra Adams; Anna L Casey; Cynthia T Crosby; Peter A Lambert; Thomas Elliott

doi:10.1086/590664

Efficacy of adding 2% (w/v) chlorhexidine gluconate to 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol for skin disinfection prior to peripheral venous cannulation

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2008 Oct;29(10):963-5. doi: 10.1086/590664.

Authors

Heather Small¹, Debra Adams, Anna L Casey, Cynthia T Crosby, Peter A Lambert, Thomas Elliott

Affiliation

¹ Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, England.

PMID: 18771405
DOI: 10.1086/590664

Abstract

We undertook a clinical trial to compare the efficacy of 2% (w/v) chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol with the efficacy of 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol alone for skin disinfection to prevent peripheral venous catheter colonization and contamination. We found that the addition of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate reduced the number of peripheral venous catheters that were colonized or contaminated.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

2-Propanol / pharmacology*
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
Bacteria / classification
Bacteria / isolation & purification
Catheterization, Peripheral* / methods
Catheters, Indwelling / microbiology
Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives*
Chlorhexidine / pharmacology
Disinfection / methods*
Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Skin / microbiology*
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Anti-Infective Agents, Local
chlorhexidine gluconate
2-Propanol
Chlorhexidine