Chlorhexidine Bathing Effect on Clostridium Difficile Rates
Chlorhexidine Bathing Effect on Clostridium Difficile Rates
Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) infections, whether nosocomial or community borne, may
 present with profound diarrhea, especially in those patients receiving antibiotics. Based on
 a preliminary review of hospital data, the investigators have found that these symptomatic c.
 diff infections occur with a relatively high incidence at Delnor Hospital. Notwithstanding
 their high mortality, one recent study attributes a near quadrupling of hospitalization costs
 to c. diff infections. Chlorhexidine baths have been shown in multiple randomized trials to
 help reduce the incidence of highly virulent pathogens and hospital acquired infections.
 Further, several studies show a favorable effect of reducing the incidence of c. diff
 infections by using Chlorhexidine baths on ICU patients. Far fewer studies, however, have
 focused on the effects of these baths on general medical/surgical wards. This investigation
 seeks to study the effect of the daily use of 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate wipes in patients on
 the general medical/surgical wards who are exposed to antibiotics for a suspected or
 confirmed infection.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Prescription of antibiotics for suspected or confirmed infection.

 -  Admitted to the 2600 General/Medical ward at Delnor Hospital.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Antibiotics only for surgical prophylaxis

 -  Not mentally capable

 -  Cannot provide consent in English

 -  Pregnant

 -  Documented chlorhexidine allergy

 -  Patient is a prisoner

 -  Health system employee