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

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 (R) and CINAHL (R) 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.