Abstract

MAYA, Juan José et al. Role of chlorhexidine in the prevention of health care related infections. Infect. [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.2, pp. 98-107. ISSN 0123-9392.

Health care related infections are one of the most common adverse events among hospitalized patients. These types of infections are related to an increased morbidity, mortality, hospitalization time, and health care related costs. Chlorhexidine has been proven to be useful for preventing health care related infections due to its wide antiseptic spectrum, effectiveness and safety. Different studies have shown evidence about the effectiveness of chlorhexidine in the prevention of infections related to surgical sites, vascular catheter related bloodstream infections, ventilator associated pneumonia, maternal and neonatal infections and other infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Most studies have found superiority of this compound against other antiseptics in the prevention and control of health care related infections.

Keywords : Chlorhexidine; antiseptic; Staphylococcus aureus.