Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Mar 14;29(2):E37-E46.
doi: 10.1188/25.CJON.E37-E46.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate Treatment Adherence Among Nurses and Patients to Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Mika Kuroki  1 , Abigail C Short  2 , Lorinda A Coombs  3
Affiliations
Review

Chlorhexidine Gluconate Treatment Adherence Among Nurses and Patients to Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Mika Kuroki et al. Clin J Oncol Nurs. .

Abstract

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), an antimicrobial topical treatment, reduces central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, many barriers exist to CHG use, limiting the benefits of this evidence-based intervention.

Objectives: This review aimed to identify effective CHG interventions to reduce CLABSIs in patients with cancer, particularly those undergoing bone marrow transplantations.

Methods: PubMed® and CINAHL® databases were searched for articles published in English between 2014 and 2024 that focused on adults (aged 18 years or older) and evaluated CHG use, barriers to CHG use, and interventions to reduce CLABSI rates.

Findings: This review identified the following three themes: the efficacy of CHG on reducing hospital-acquired infections, barriers to CHG use, and multilevel educational programs that improve rates of CHG use.

Keywords: bloodstream infections; catheter-related infections; chlorhexidine gluconate.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors take full responsibility for this content and did not receive honoraria or disclose any relevant financial relationships. The article has been reviewed by independent peer reviewers to ensure that it is objective and free from bias.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA FLOW DIAGRAM CHG—chlorhexidine gluconate; CLABSI—central line–associated bloodstream infection; PRISMA—Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Decolonization of non-ICU patients with devices: Section 9-1—Standardized nursing protocol: Bed bathing with 2% chlorhexidine (CHG) no-rinse bathing cloths and showering with 4% CHG liquid soap [Publication No. 20(22)-0036] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2022. https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/hai/abate/nursing-proto... .
    1. Bearup L, Nannoshi L, Hague S, Beaver C. P178: Real time audits improve central line care bundle compliance for care of hospitalized oncology patients. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2022;49(2):E100–E101. doi: 10.1188/22.ONF.E2. - DOI
    1. Cassir N, Thomas G, Hraiech S, Brunet J, Fournier P-E, La Scola B, Papazian L. Chlorhexidine daily bathing: Impact on health care-associated infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. American Journal of Infection Control. 2015;43(6):640–643. - PubMed
    1. Caya T, Knobloch MJ, Musuuza J, Wilhelmson E, Safdar N. Patient perceptions of chlorhexidine bathing: A pilot study using the health belief model. American Journal of Infection Control. 2019;47(1):18–22. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.07.010. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Choi EY, Park D-A, Kim HJ, Park J. Efficacy of chlorhexidine bathing for reducing healthcare associated bloodstream infections: A meta-analysis. Annals of Intensive Care. 2015;5(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s13613-015-0073-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed