Effect of chlorhexidine baths on central-line-associated bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in a developing country

Summary Healthcare-associated infections, particularly central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), are worrisome in neonates. This study describes the impact of chlorhexidine baths on CLABSI rates in a neonatal intensive care unit in a developing country, through a quasi-experimental study undertaken over 62 months (January 2012 to February 2017) divided into two periods: before and after the implementation of a protocol for chlorhexidine baths in July 2014. The rate of CLABSIs per 1000 central-line-days decreased from 8.64 to 4.28 after implementation of the protocol. The use of chlorhexidine baths appears to reduce the number of CLABSIs in neonates.