Background
central-line, BSI, CLABSI, nosocomial infections, bloodstream infections
BLOODSTREAM INFECTION, NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS
Pathogens on the body surface of patients are considered a relevant reservoir of nosocomial infections including central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) [Several meta-analyses and large-scale randomised controlled trials demonstrate that daily antiseptic bathing with chlorhexidine can significantly reduce bloodstream infections (BSI) and CLABSI in ICUs [We conducted the CLIP-ID (Climate and pathogens-impact of decolonisation) study, a cluster-randomised controlled trial (cRCT) in 72 adult intensive care units (ICUs) in Germany and Austria. In the a priori analysis of our cRCT we found no significant preventive effect of 2% chlorhexidine-impregnated cloths or 0.08% octenidine wash mitts on CLABSI rates in ICUs compared to routine care with water and soap (control) [In addition to chlorhexidine-impregnated cloths, we also investigated octenidine wash mitts in our trial, because octenidine dihydrochloride represents a cost-efficient, widely used, easily available antiseptic substance in several European countries [Our post-hoc study aimed to analyse the effect of three daily bathing regimes for intensive care patients (2% chlorhexidine-impregnated cloths, 0.08% octenidine wash mitts or continuation of routine care with water and soap as control) on CLABSI rates in a before-after comparison.