The value of chlorhexidine gluconate wipes and prepacked washcloths to prevent the spread of pathogens--a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Use of chlorhexidine gluconate wipes and pre-packed washcloths has been described for preventing pathogen spread in healthcare settings. AIM: To assess the impact of chlorhexidine washcloths/wipes in preventing the spread of pathogens. METHODS: Extensive and structured literature search from studies in Google Academic, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Pubmed and Cinahl from their inception until November 2012. FINDINGS: Final analysis included 15 studies, 9 of which were randomised controlled trials. The most frequent setting was the intensive care unit. In intensive care units, a significant reduction of bloodstream infection was associated with intervention and 3 studies revealed a decrease in blood culture contamination. One study showed a decrease in staff and environmental contamination and no increase in chlorhexidine resistance with intervention. Positive blood cultures for multiple pathogens also declined with intervention. In a paediatric intensive care unit, intervention decreased bacteraemia and catheter-associated bloodstream infection. In hospital wards, intervention was associated to a 64% reduction of pathogen transmission. One study had no statistically significant results. Pre-surgical chlorhexidine use significantly decreased bacterial colonisation but had no impact on surgical site infections. Regarding maternal and perinatal setting, one study did not show reduction of early onset neonatal sepsis and pathogen transmission. Another study of vaginal and neonatal decolonisation with chlorhexidine wiping revealed significant reduction in colonisation. One study concluded that single and multiple umbilical cord cleansing reduced the likelihood for a positive swab in 25% and 29%, respectively. Neonatal wiping maintained low levels of skin colonisation for a 24h period, for multiple pathogens. CONCLUSION: Current evidence supports the usefulness of chlorhexidine washcloths and wipes in an intensive care, hospital and pre-surgical setting. More studies are required to encourage its use for prevention of perinatal and neonatal transmission of pathogens.

Higiene oral con clorhexidina para la prevención de neumonía en pacientes intubados: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados / Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine on the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated patients: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Fundamento y objetivos: La ventilación mecánica se usa al menos en una tercera parte de los pacientes ingresados en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). La neumonía asociada a la ventilación (NAV) es la complicación más frecuente, que afecta de un 8–28% de los pacientes. La prevención de NAV surge como una estrategia importante para el tratamiento de pacientes en UCI. Se han propuesto diferentes estrategias en prevención y, dentro de estas, la higiene oral con clorhexidina surge como una herramienta útil. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la clorhexidina sobre la prevención de NAV.Pacientes y método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura médica de ensayos clínicos controlados que evalúan el efecto de la clorhexidina sobre la prevención de NAV. Se realizó una búsqueda de los artículos indexados en PubMed usando las palabras claves: «oral care OR oral higiene OR chlorhexidine AND ventilator-associated pneumonia». Un revisor independiente evaluó los estudios según los criterios de inclusión y extrajo los datos.Resultados: Se encontraron 120 artículos. De estos, consideramos 10 estudios que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se apreció una falta de uniformidad en la aplicación del tratamiento de clorhexidina. Se encontró una reducción en el riesgo de NAV en el grupo clorhexidina comparado con el grupo control (odds ratio: 56, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 44–0,73). Sin embargo, no se apreció una reducción en la mortalidad, el tiempo de ventilación mecánica ni los días de estancia. Conclusiones: La higiene oral con clorhexidina en combinación con otras estrategias de prevención de NAV debe estar incluida en el cuidado general del paciente de UCI (AU)

Background and objective: Mechanical ventilation is used in about one third of patients in intensive cares units (ICU). Ventilator Associated-Pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent infectious complication, affecting approximately 8 to 28% patients. Strategies to prevent the development of VAP are key factors in the management of ICU patients. There have been proposed several strategies to prevent VAP. One of these is oral hygiene with clorhexidine. We evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine on the prevention of VAP. Patients and methods: We conducted a systematic review of controlled clinical trials evaluating the effect of oral hygiene on VAP prevention. A PubMed search was performed using the following keywords: “oral care OR oral hygiene OR chlorhexidine AND ventilator-associated pneumonia”. An independent reviewer evaluated the studies according to the inclusion criteria and extracted the data. Results: A total of 120 articles were found, and 10 of them met the inclusion criteria. A lack of uniformity was appreciated in the application of chlorhexidine. There was a reduction in the risk of VAP in the chlorhexidine group versus control (OR: 0,56, 95% CI: 0,44–0,73). However, neither a reduction in mortality, nor a length of MV nor an ICU length of stay were seen. Conclusions: Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine in combination with other strategies for VAP prevention should be included in the patient's ICU care (AU)

[Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine on the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated patients: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials]. / Higiene oral con clorhexidina para la prevención de neumonía en pacientes intubados: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mechanical ventilation is used in about one third of patients in intensive cares units (ICU). Ventilator Associated-Pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent infectious complication, affecting approximately 8 to 28% patients. Strategies to prevent the development of VAP are key factors in the management of ICU patients. There have been proposed several strategies to prevent VAP. One of these is oral hygiene with clorhexidine. We evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine on the prevention of VAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of controlled clinical trials evaluating the effect of oral hygiene on VAP prevention. A PubMed search was performed using the following keywords: "oral care OR oral hygiene OR chlorhexidine AND ventilator-associated pneumonia". An independent reviewer evaluated the studies according to the inclusion criteria and extracted the data. RESULTS: A total of 120 articles were found, and 10 of them met the inclusion criteria. A lack of uniformity was appreciated in the application of chlorhexidine. There was a reduction in the risk of VAP in the chlorhexidine group versus control (OR: 0,56, 95% CI: 0,44-0,73). However, neither a reduction in mortality, nor a length of MV nor an ICU length of stay were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Oral hygiene with chlorhexidine in combination with other strategies for VAP prevention should be included in the patient's ICU care.

Prevención no farmacológica de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica / Non-Pharmacological Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

La neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica es la primera causa de mortalidad por infecciones nosocomiales en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Su incidencia oscila entre el 9 y el 67% de los pacientes que requieren ventilación mecánica. Hay múltiples factores de riesgo asociados y aumenta significativamente la estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y en el hospital. El coste adicional por cada neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica oscila entre 9.000 y 31.000 €.Por tanto, su prevención debe considerarse una prioridad. Ésta podría disminuir tanto la morbimortalidad asociada como el coste de la atención, y mejorar la seguridad del paciente(AU)

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the first cause of mortality due to nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit. Its incidence ranges from 9% to 67% of patients on mechanical ventilation. Risk factors are multiple and are associated with prolonged stays in hospital and intensive care units. Additional costs for each episode of VAP range from 9,000 € to 31,000 €.Thus, its prevention should be considered as a priority. This prevention could decrease associated morbidity, mortality, costs, and increase patient safety(AU)

[Non-pharmacological prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia]. / Prevención no farmacológica de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the first cause of mortality due to nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit. Its incidence ranges from 9% to 67% of patients on mechanical ventilation. Risk factors are multiple and are associated with prolonged stays in hospital and intensive care units. Additional costs for each episode of VAP range from 9,000 euro to 31,000 euro. Thus, its prevention should be considered as a priority. This prevention could decrease associated morbidity, mortality, costs, and increase patient safety.