Circulation 36,825 • Volume 18, No. 1 • Spring 2003

Chlorhexidine Prep Decreases Catheter-Related Infections

Chad E. Wagner, MD; Richard C. Prielipp, MD

Optimal skin preparation and aseptic technique are imperative during insertion of central venous (CVP) and other invasive catheters to minimize the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. A generation of practitioners have grown up using Betadine® or similar 10% povidone-iodine products for skin preparation during catheter insertion. However, most experts, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, now preferentially recommend use of chlorhexidine gluconate-based preparations in place of either 10% povidone-iodine or 70% alcohol. These recommendations were published in August 2002 in “Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections” by the CDC.1 Chlorhexidine-based commercial applicators are now widely available (see photo) since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a 2% tincture of chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis in July 2000.

Top: Betadine swabs; Bottom: Chloraprep “One-Step” applicator (Medi-flex, Overland, KS)

Significant evidence supports this change. Maki et al. randomized skin preparation solution for 668 catheters comparing 2% chlorhexidine, 10% povidone-iodine, and 70% alcohol. Chlorhexidine was associated with the lowest incidence of CRBSI (2.3 per 100 catheters, p=0.02). Alcohol and povidone-iodine were associated with 7.1 and 9.3 infections per 100 catheters.2 In a recent meta-analysis, Chaiyakunapruk analyzed 8 studies involving a total of 4,143 catheters.3 This summary identified a risk reduction for CRBSI = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (0.28 – 0.88). Chlorhexidine gluconate decreased CRBSI by 50% compared with povidone-iodine (1% vs. 2%). Despite the greater cost of chlorhexidine compared to that of povidone-iodine, the meta-analysis suggests chlorhexidine is cost effective and perhaps even cost saving. However, formal medical economic evaluation is not yet complete.

Two unique aspects of chlorhexidine utilization are noteworthy. Practitioners must be aware that 2% chlorhexidine skin preparation is colorless, and there have been anecdotal reports of confusion as to the width of the prepared sterile field, or indeed, even whether the skin was “prepped” at all!

This is distinctly different compared to the intense color demarcation associated with use of iodine solutions. Also, note that only one application of the chlorhexidine solution is necessary—there is no need for the old routine of 3 successive iodine swabs to prepare the skin. Lastly, be aware that other preparations of chlorhexidine might not be as effective as the 2% tincture of chlorhexidine solution (e.g., chlorhexidine gluconate 0.5% is no more effective than 10% povidone iodine).

Dr. Wagner is an ICU Fellow and Dr. Prielipp is Professor and Section Head of Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.

References

  1. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Dellinger EP, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Recomm Rep 2002;51(RR-10):1-29. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/iv/iv.htm.
  2. Maki DG, Ringer M, Alvarado CJ. Prospective randomised trial of povidone-iodine, alcohol, and chlorhexidine for prevention of infection associated with central venous and arterial catheters. Lancet 1991;338:339-43.
  3. Chaiyakunapruk N, Veenstra DL, Lipsky BA, Saint S. Chlorhexidine compared with povidone-iodine solution for vascular catheter-site care: a meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:792-801.