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Chlorhexidine Use in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Results from a National Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Pranita D. Tamma*
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland
Susan W. Aucott
Affiliation:
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland
Aaron M. Milstone
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland
*
Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, David M. Rubinstein Child Health Building, 200 N Wolfe Street, Suite 3095, Baltimore, MD 21287 (ptammal@jhmi.edu)

Abstract

Infection prevention guidelines do not endorse Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) use in neonates who are less than 2 months old. A survey of US neonatology program directors revealed that most neonatal intensive care units use CHG, often with some restrictions. Prospective studies are needed to further address concerns regarding the safety of CHG in patients in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Type
Concise Communcations
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2010

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