Efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate of different concentrations in preventing short peripheral catheter-related infections: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy of different concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate in the prevention of short peripheral catheter-related infections. Methods: This randomized controlled study consisted of 96 patients who had short peripheral catheter. Patients were randomly assigned to apply skin antisepsis with either 1%, 2% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Microbial cultures were collected at the site surrounding catheter insertion before catheterization, within the first and the 96th hours after catheterization to assess microbial growth. Results: Compared to the pre-catheterization period, the number of Gram (+) bacteria detected at the 96th hour post-catheterization decreased by 76.4% in 1% chlorhexidine gluconate group, 90% in 2% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate group and 30% in 70% isopropyl alcohol group in the skin swabs. Conclusions: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate was most effective antiseptic in preventing short peripheral catheter-related infections than other concentrations.