Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are the leading cause of life-threateningcomplications in the United States (Reagan et al., 2019). HAIs includes central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), select surgical site infections (SSI), hospital-onset Clostridium difficile (C-diff), and hospital-onset Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Regan et al., 2019). CLABIs and CAUTIs are the most common HAIs found among oncology and hematology patients due to the complications of diagnoses and treatments making these patients immunocompromised. CLABIs and CAUTIs can delay treatments, extend length of stay, and increase the cost of care for patients (Dixon & Carver, 2010). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), any patient that have devices or wound serves as an entry port for bacteria has an increased risk of a patient acquiring HAIs (Reagan et al., 2019). Most, if not all oncology and hematology patients have either an implanted venous assisted device (IVAD) or a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC) line to receive their treatments making them at high risk to acquire HAIs. On a Medical/Oncology Unit from August to September 2019, there were multiple CLABIs and CAUTIs cases found back to back among the gerontology oncology and hematology patients. After auditing each CLABI and CAUTI the trend that was found was a lack of daily hygiene and linen changes. Using chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) to bathe patients is listed as one of the prevention interventions for HAI CLABIs and CAUTIs (Dixon & Carver, 2010). CHG is an antiseptic solution that resides on the skin longer than regular soap, therefore it continues to protect the patient from infection long after they bathe (Reagan et al., 2019). To study the effects of CHG Bathing on HAIs such as CLABIs and CAUTIs, all patients 60 years of age or older who also have central line or Foley catheter admitted onto the Medical/Oncology Unit will be using CHG Bath wipes daily. The goal of this project is to evaluate staff and patients adherence to daily CHG bathing to estimate the effect on preventing HAI CLABIs and CAUTIs.