ABSTRACT
We postulated that bathing with 2% chlorhexidine-impregnated antiseptic washcloths could reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence among chronic care patients compared with nonantiseptic bathing. A total of 122 patients on 3 hospital units were enrolled in a 12-month, cluster-randomized, open-label, controlled trial, with 8 patients becoming MRSA positive. The 2% chlorhexidine-impregnated antiseptic washcloths reduced incidence by 71% (0.1 vs 0.44 cases per 1,000 patient days) (P = .14; Fisher exact). The detected difference was not statistically significant because of a low number of observed events.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/administration & dosage , Baths/methods , Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Disinfection/methods , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Aged, 80 and over , Cross Infection/microbiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
This report summarizes our experiences planning and implementing the transition to a new commercial line of hand hygiene products and their dispensing systems in a large academic health care facility in Toronto, Canada. Our lessons learned are organized into a practical guide made available in 2 different formats: this article and an illustrated peer-to-peer guide (http://www.baycrest.org/wp-content/uploads/HCE-PROG-HH_HighQuality.pdf).
