Annals of hematology
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Annals of hematology · Mar 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPrevention of central venous catheter related infections with chlorhexidine gluconate impregnated wound dressings: a randomized controlled trial.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges for reducing catheter-related infections of central venous catheters inserted for cancer chemotherapy. The method used was a randomized, prospective, open, controlled clinical study (three-step group sequential analysis protocol). The patients were from two high dependency units at a university hospital undergoing chemotherapy for haematological or oncological malignancies requiring central venous catheters (CVCs) expected to remain in place for at least 5 days. ⋯ Especially, catheter-related infections at internal jugular vein insertions could be reduced (p=0.018). No adverse effects related to the intervention were observed. The use of chlorhexidine-impregnated wound dressings significantly reduced the incidence of CVC-related infections in patients receiving chemotherapy.