A 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol swab was more effective than 2 other methods for intravenous skin antisepsis
QUESTION: Which of 3 methods for skin antisepsis before peripheral intravenous (IV) therapy is most effective for preventing catheter related infection?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, blinded {investigators, patients, outcome assessors}*, controlled trial with follow up at 72 hours after removal of the IV catheter.
Setting
A 139 bed, acute care hospital in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Patients
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%.
Intervention
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 …
