Intravascular catheter dressings with chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges reduced infections in the ICU
Questions
Do intravascular catheter dressings with chlorhexidine gluconate–impregnated sponges (CHGISs) reduce catheter-related infections (CRIs) compared with standard dressings in intensive care unit (ICU) patients? Are dressing changes every 7 days non-inferior to changes every 3 days?
Methods
Design:
2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00417235.
Allocation:
{concealed}.*
Blinding:
blinded (microbiologists, outcome assessors, {data analysts, and safety committee}*).
Follow-up period:
48 hours after ICU discharge.
Setting:
7 ICUs in 3 university and 2 general hospitals in France.
Patients:
1653 patients >18 years of age (median age 62 y, 64% men, based on 1636 patients) requiring catheters for ⩾48 hours. Exclusion criteria were allergy to chlorhexidine or transparent dressings.
Interventions:
CHGIS dressings, 3-day change (n = 412); CHGIS dressings, 7-day change (n = 413); standard dressings, 3-day change (n = 416); or standard dressings, 7-day change (n = 412). In all …
