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Chlorhexidine Only Works If Applied Correctly: Use of a Simple Colorimetric Assay to Provide Monitoring and Feedback on Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine Application

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2015

Laura Supple ,
Monika Kumaraswami ,
Sirisha Kundrapu ,
Venkata Sunkesula ,
Jennifer L. Cadnum ,
Michelle M. Nerandzic ,
Myreen Tomas  and
Curtis J. Donskey
Laura Supple
Affiliation:
Research Service, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Monika Kumaraswami
Affiliation:
Research Service, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Sirisha Kundrapu
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
Venkata Sunkesula
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
Jennifer L. Cadnum
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
Michelle M. Nerandzic
Affiliation:
Research Service, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Myreen Tomas
Affiliation:
Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
Curtis J. Donskey*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Address correspondence to Curtis J. Donskey, MD, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (curtisd123@yahoo.com).
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Abstract

We used a colorimetric assay to determine the presence of chlorhexidine on skin, and we identified deficiencies in preoperative bathing and daily bathing in the intensive care unit. Both types of bathing improved with an intervention that included feedback to nursing staff. The assay provides a simple and rapid method of monitoring the performance of chlorhexidine bathing.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1095–1097

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 36 , Issue 9 , September 2015 , pp. 1095 - 1097
Copyright
© 2015 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved 

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References

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