© 2000 Evidence-Based Nursing
A 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol swab was more effective than 2 other methods for intravenous skin antisepsis
LeBlanc A, Cobbett S.Traditional practice versus evidence-based practice for IV skin preparation.Can J Infect Con 2000 ;Spring:9–14
QUESTION: Which of 3 methods for skin antisepsis before peripheral intravenous (IV) therapy is most effective for preventing catheter related infection?
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, blinded {investigators, patients, outcome assessors}*, controlled trial with follow up at 72 hours after removal of the IV catheter.
A 139 bed, acute care hospital in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
300 patients who required a peripheral IV catheter and were able to read and understand English. Exclusion criteria was an IV catheter that remained in situ for <8 hours. Patients were recruited from the hospital's medical, surgical, intensive care, obstetrics and gynaecology, and outpatient and emergency services. Follow up was 81%.
Before peripheral IV insertion, patients were allocated to receive 1 swab of 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in 70% isopropyl alcohol (group 1, n=100), a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab followed by a 10% povidone-iodine swab (group 2, n=100), or a 10% povidone-iodine swab followed by a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab (group 3, n=100).
Local catheter related infection (defined as 
15 colony forming units in the
Research Fellow, Department of Health Studies University of York York, UK
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