Decontamination of the nasopharynx and oropharynx with chlorhexidine reduced nosocomial infections in cardiac surgery
- anti-infective agents (local)
- cardiac surgical procedures
- chlorhexidine
- cross infection
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- perioperative care
Q Does perioperative decontamination of the nasopharynx and oropharynx with chlorhexidine gluconate reduce nosocomial infections after cardiac surgery?
METHODS
Design:
randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
blinded (patients, healthcare providers, data collectors, {outcome assessors, data analysts, safety and monitoring committee, and manuscript writers}*).
Follow-up period:
up to 30 days.
Setting:
a community hospital in the Netherlands.
Patients:
991 patients >18 years of age requiring cardiothoracic surgery. Exclusion criteria included emergency procedures; preoperative infection or use of antimicrobials; hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine; use of an alternative prophylactic regimen; and admission <1 day before surgery.
Intervention:
0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate used as an oral rinse and as a gel for …
