Daily Chlorhexidine Bathing and Infection Rates in Critically-ill Patients

Patients in an ICU randomized to treatment arm 1 will be bathed with single use, no rinse, disposable cloths impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (Sage® 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Cloths). Bathing of the skin of the arms, chest, abdomen, back, both legs, perineum, and buttocks will be performed daily and as needed after patients become soiled. The face and neck will not be bathed in this manner but will be bathed with water-moistened washcloths. All other infection control and cleaning procedures will be performed per the current practice in each intensive care unit.

Patients in an ICU randomized to treatment arm 2 will be bathed with single use, no rinse, disposable cloths that do not contain chlorhexidine gluconate solution (Sage Comfort Bath® Cleansing Washcloths). Bathing of the skin of the arms, chest, abdomen, back, both legs, perineum, and buttocks will be performed daily and as needed after patients become soiled. The face and neck will not be bathed in this manner but will be bathed with water-moistened washcloths. All other infection control and cleaning procedures will be performed per the current protocols in each intensive care unit.