Implementation of 2% Chlorhexidine Bathing to Reduce Healthcare Associated Infections among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) significantly increase morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stays, and costs, particularly among ICU patients. Despite standard interventions, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and bloodstream infections (CLABSI) remain major HAI contributors. This study evaluated the efficacy of daily 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in reducing HAI incidence, specifically CAUTI, CLABSI, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), in a 20-bed ICU at a regional hospital. Using a prospective, uncontrolled before-and-after design, we compared traditional soap-water bathing with CHG bathing over a one-year intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in HAI incidence rates from 3.43‰ to 0.58‰ (p < 0.05) during intervention and sustained benefits post-intervention. Incidences of CAUTI and CLABSI decreased markedly (p < 0.05), with reduced MDRO isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our findings support the implementation of daily CHG bathing as an effective strategy to reduce HAI and MDROs in ICU settings.