Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate nursing staff adherence to a chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing protocol in the intensive care unit at Norton Brownsboro Hospital.
Methods: This study utilized a single-site, quasi-experimental, retrospective electronic medical record review format. The sample consisted of 200 patient records post CHG bathing protocol initiation from the Norton Brownsboro Hospital Intensive Care Unit during the period of March, 2015 to May, 2017.
Results: The sample was divided into adherent and non-adherent groups. No significant differences in age, sex, race, ICU length of stay (LOS), BMI, or mortality scores, presence of indwelling medical device, or surgical procedure performed existed between the adherent and non-adherent groups. Adherence was low with only 61 or 30.5% of patients receiving CHG bathing as prescribed. No statistically significant relationship was identified between CHG bathing adherence and patient variables.Only three HAIs were captured in the sample; all were catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in the adherent group.
Conclusion: Low adherence and lack of statistical significance may indicate a charting discrepancy by ICU nursing staff. It is also reasonable to consider that this study is an actual reflection of the adherence rate. Education, chart audits, and change moles such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) should be considered to optimize nursing staff adherence with CHG bathing
