Study evaluates daily chlorhexidine bathing for reduction of bacteraemia in critically ill children

Source: Lancet Area: News The results of a cluster-randomised, two-period crossover trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in the prevention of bacteraemia in critically ill children have been published early online in The Lancet.   The authors note that primary infections in critically ill children have an associated mortality of 11-18%. Furthermore, all positive blood cultures (including those due to commensal skin organisms) entail increased use of antibiotics, augmented laboratory charges, and longer hospital stays. Data are therefore needed to address the efficacy and tolerability of novel prevention strategies in children.   The study involved ten paediatric intensive-care units (ICUs) at five hospitals in the USA, each of which was randomly assigned to use either standard bathing practices or a cloth impregnated with 2% CHG, for all admitted patients older than 2 months over a 6-month period. They then switched to the ...
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news