Chlorhexidine Gluconate


Indications

Body Surface/Body Site Decontamination for the Prevention of Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

  • Decontamination Agents
    • Chlorhexidine Gluconate: used for body surface decontamination
    • Mupirocin (Bactroban) (see Mupirocin): used for eradication of nasal Staphylococcus Aureus carriage (see Staphylococcus Aureus)
  • Clinical Efficacy in the Prevention of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infection in the ICU
    • DECIDE Trial of Universal vs Targeted Decolonization to Prevent Infections in the ICU (NEJM, 2013) [MEDLINE]
      • Universal Decolonization (Chlorhexidine) was Superior to Targeted Decolonization of MRSA Carriers (Chrlorhexidine + Nasal Mupirocin) and MRSA Screening and Isolation Strategies in Preventing the Rate of MRSA Isolates and Bloodstream Infection from Any Pathogen: targeted decolonization was intermediate in effectiveness, while screening and isolation did not decrease the rate of any infections
      • Universal Decolonization Prevented 1 Bloodstream Infection Per Each 54 Patients
    • Trial of Body Surface Decolonization on Bacteriuria and Candiduria in the ICU (Lancet Infect Dis, 2016) [MEDLINE]
      • Universal Decolonization (Chlorhexidine) and Short-Course Nasal Mupirocin Significantly Decreased Candiduria and Any Bacteriuria, But Not for Women

Oral Decontamination for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in the Intensive Care Unit (see Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia)

  • Clinical Efficacy
    • Non-Randomized Trial of Oral Care in Mechanically Ventilated Patients for Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (Intensive, Care Med, 2006) [MEDLINE]
      • Oral Care Decreased Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Rates
    • Meta-Analysis of 7 Randomized Trials Studying Topical Chlorhexidine Applied to the Oropharynx (Crit Care Med, 2007) [MEDLINE]
      • Topical Chlorhexidine Decreased VAP Rates, Especially in Cardiac Surgery Patients
    • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Oral Decontamination in Mechanically Ventilated Patients for Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (BMJ, 2007) [MEDLINE]
      • Oral Antiseptic Decontamination and Oral Topical Antibiotic Decontamination of Mechanically-Ventilated Patients Decreased Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Rates
      • However, Neither Oral Antiseptic Decontamination Nor Oral Topical Antibiotic Decontamination Decreased Mortality Rate or Duration of Mechanical Ventilation
  • Recommendations (2012 Surviving Sepsis Guidelines; Crit Care Med, 2013) [MEDLINE]
    • Selective Oral and Digestive Decontamination Should Be Introduced and Investigated as a Means to Decrease the Risk of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (Grade 2B Recommendation)
    • Oral Chlorhexidine Gluconate Decontamination Should Be Used as a Means to Decrease the Risk of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in ICU Patients with Sepsis (Grade 2B Recommendation)

Pharmacology


Administration


Adverse Effects

Other Adverse Effects


References