Reducing Surgical Site Infections: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Preoperative Baths

Abstract

A significant contributor to readmission rates, extended hospital stays, and mortality, surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to be a major concern in postoperative care, affecting over 4% of surgical patients. In contrast to routine hospital procedures, this study examines the effectiveness of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) showers in reducing the risk of surgical site infections. The study uses a PICO framework to assess two main studies: a 2022 quasi-experimental study that examined the impact of 4% CHG baths at Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, and a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis that compared chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine. The use of CHG dramatically decreased the incidence of SSIs and the presence of bacteria, according to both studies. Although the systematic review indicated that chlorhexidine was more effective due to its antibacterial and fast-drying qualities, the 2022 study discovered that the CHG intervention group had 0% SSIs, while the control group had 8.3%. The nurse\u27s role in promoting CHG use and educating patients is to improve surgical outcomes and promote infection control