Question: Is chlorhexidine with alcohol (Prevantics) more eff ective than alcohol alone for cleansing IV catheter hubs, central lines, and skin prior to IV and central line insertion?

Literature ReviewConclusion: Studies suggest that it is recommended

to use chlorhexidine with alcohol over alcohol alone for disinfection of skin prior to peripheral IV and central line insertion as well as for disinfecting catheter hubs.

EFFICACY OF CHLORHEXIDINE

BY , A N N A G R I E B E L & KY L E S TA N GS T. C LO U D S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y N U R S I N G S T U D E N T S

Chlorhexidine is a disinfecting solution which is available in various diff erent preparations including surgical scrub solutions, topical creams and gels, toothpaste and mouthwash, and disinfectant solutions. Chlorhexidine, unlike other topical antiseptics, has sustained eff ects due to its ability to bind to proteins in the skin and mucosa. Studies suggest that chlorhexidine can exert antimicrobial eff ects for up to 24 hours after application.

WHAT IS CHLORHEXIDINE?

Prevantics Skin Antiseptic contains 3.15% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol which work together to eff ectively kill most pathogens including bacteria, fungi/yeast, and viruses.

The added benefit of adding chlohexidine to alcohol in these swabs is that there is a longer lasting antiseptic eff ect. Since alcohol and chlorhexidine have diff erent mechanisms of action, when the two are mixed together, antiseptic eff ects are improved.

PREVANTICS SKIN ANTISEPTIC

Peripheral IVs: Studies suggest that disinfecting the skin prior to IV insertion with

Prevantics-like products is more effective than with alcohol alone. Central Lines:

Studies suggest that disinfecting the skin with Prevantics-like products prior to insertion of central lines is more effective than with povidone-iodine.

Catheter Hubs: Prevantics-like products have been shown to reduce the amount of

CLABSIs when used to scrub the catheter hubs compared to alcohol alone.

Recommendation : Studies suggest that it is recommended to use Prevantics-

like products for disinfection of skin prior to peripheral IV and central line insertion as well as for disinfecting catheter hubs.

DISINFECTION EFFICACY OF CHLORHEXIDINE