Aim: The aims of the study are to evaluate the impact of a 4% chlorhexidine (CHG4%) bathing on the occurrence of central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and to identify risk factors (RFs) for CLABSI in our population. This is a retrospective monocentric cohort study in the paediatric surgical intensive care unit at the Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France.
Methods: All hospitalised patients with central venous catheters (CVCs) in 2015 were included. CHG4% bathing was prescribed in CLABSI high-risk patients, defined by the presence of exposition factors (EFs): constitutive or acquired immunosuppression, presence of an invasive medical device (IMD) and the carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. The overall 2015 CLABSI incidence rate was compared with 2014 CLABSI incidence rate (before CHG4% bathing).
Results: In all, 775 patients were analysed. Some 182 had at least one EF, and 49 received CHG4%. The incidence rates of CLABSI in 2014 and 2015 were, respectively, 6.1 and 2.3/1000 days CVC (P < 0.01). The presence of at least one EF was associated with the CLABSI's occurrence: odds ratio = 15.13 (95% confidence interval: 4.26-53.71; P < 0.0001), particularly acquired immunosuppression, IMD and S. aureus colonisation. Other RFs were age <1 year and carrying duration >16 days.
Conclusions: This study showed a significant reduction in incidence of CLABSI after introduction of a targeted CHG4% bathing protocol. Presence of IMD, S. aureus colonisation, immunosuppression, age <1 year and carrying duration >16 days were CLABSI RFs. Regarding the literature, the presence of IMD seems to be underestimated in CLABSI prevention.
Keywords: bacteraemia; central catheterisation; chlorhexidine; critical care; infection control.
© 2020 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).