Ayse Betul Ergul: Ayse Betul Ergul, M.D. Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Ikbal Gokcek: Ikbal Gokcek, M.D. Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Alper Ozcan: Alper Ozcan, M.D. Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Serife Cetin: Nurkan Gultekin, Nurse, Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Nurkan Gultekin: Serife Cetin, Nurse, Department of Infection Control, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Yasemin Altuner Torun: Dr. Yasemin Altuner Torun, Associate, Professor. Department of Pediatric Hematology, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE: We compared the protective effects of secure Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)-containing dressings with those of non-antimicrobial transparent dressings. METHODS: This prospective, comparative, single-center clinical study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit from October 2014 to March 2017. The inclusion criterion was catheterization of the jugular vein for ≥48 hour. The study was conducted in two phases. Non-antimicrobial standard dressings were applied both before and after the CHG- dressing phase to negate any coincidental temporal effect. During the standard-dressing phases, the dressings did not include any antimicrobial; transparent CHG-impregnated dressings were applied during the test phase. All patients were divided into two groups by the type of dressing applied (standard and CHG-containing dressings). RESULTS: The standard- and CHG-dressing groups contained 68 and 63 patients, respectively. The median durations of catheterization were 13 (8-22) and 14 (2-28) days, respectively (>0.05). The Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) rate was somewhat lower in the CHG-dressing group (20.6 vs. 26.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant (>0.05). In the CHG-dressing group, CRBSIs caused by Gram-positive microorganisms totaled 0%, but the figure was 8.8% in the control group (=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: CHG dressings reduced CRBSIs caused by Gram-positive microorganisms.
