Chlorhexidine‐based versus non‐chlorhexidine dressings to prevent catheter‐related bloodstream infections: An evidence‐based review.

In patients with central venous catheters (CVCs) in situ, the development of catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) is often linked with increased morbidity and mortality. Sterile gauze or transparent polyurethane dressings are conventionally used as extraluminal barriers; however, antimicrobial chlorhexidine CVC dressings could potentially reduce infection risk. This short evidence‐based review examined the literature comparing the effectiveness of chlorhexidine‐based CVC dressings against non‐chlorhexidine dressings in reducing CRBSI occurrence. Four systematic reviews with meta‐analysis were reviewed, all of which reported a statistically significant reduction in CRBSI occurrence on using chlorhexidine‐based dressings. Further research is needed to determine the cost‐effectiveness of chlorhexidine‐based CVC dressings and their effectiveness in reducing CRBSIs in different catheter types and entry sites because infection risk is not uniform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]