BagBath® Chlorhexidin

Critically ill patients often have an impaired immune system, which increases the risk of nosocomial infections.

A number of recent studies show that performing a daily full-body wash and/or disinfection with soap or wipes containing chlorhexidine on critically ill patients admitted to intensive care departments may reduce colonization with microorganisms on the skin and thereby possibly help prevent catheter related infections.

Apodan does not recommend the routine use of chlorhexidine for full-body washing in other patient groups – with the exception of MRSA-carrier conditions.

In addition, full-body washing with chlorhexidine has shown to have an effect in special situations, such as recurrent familial furunculosis (skin infection) caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.

To prevent infections from occurring later, the skin can be locally cleaned and disinfected at home before an intervention. Wash the skin with BagBath® Chlorhexidine 2% to remove organic matter and reduce the number of multiresistant organisms usually found on the skin. Full-body washing with BagBath® Chlorhexidine 2% preoperatively is not recommended.

Many Nosocomial Infections, including postoperative wound infections, are brought about by bacteria already present on the patient’s skin. Washing with Chlorhexidine can help reduce the risk of MDRO (Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms) and the development of hospital-acquired infections in the blood.

Preoperatively and perioperatively (operation, aspiration, central intravascular access, etc.), the surgical field/area should be disinfected using the products recommended in the local National Infection Hygiene Guidelines: (0,5% chlorhexidine in ethanol 70-85%).