Education of Nursing Assistants on Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing Treatment
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is caused by pathogenic bacteria or fungi that are often resistant to antibiotics. This situation may lead to prolonged hospital stays, an increased risk of mortality, and higher healthcare costs. To prevent CLABSI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning patients with catheters using a daily wash of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and educating staff about infection control measures.
Objective: This quality improvement project aimed to educate patient care associates (PCAs) about the treatment with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). The three objectives were to: (1) decrease the number of patients who refuse CHG treatment by 50%, (2) raise PCAs' knowledge score to 80% or higher, and (3) maintain zero incidence of CLABSI in the unit.
Methods: PCAs received in-person education on CHG treatment over one week. The DNP student led 15-minute micro-education sessions with 20 PCAs. Each education session comprised 1) a CHG treatment pre-survey, 2) a presentation of the OSUMC CLABSI bundle using PowerPoint slides and highlighting key takeaway points, and 3) a CHG treatment post-survey completed in paper format by the PCAs.
Findings: The results indicated a positive percentage decrease in patients refusing CHG treatment (28.07%); however, this figure fell short of the proposed target of 50%. A comparison of the average scores from pre- and post-implementation surveys of PCAs revealed an increase from 92.5 to 94.6 out of 100. The incidence rate of CLABSI remained at zero, with the last CLABSI case on April 16, 2023.
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Keywords
chlorhexidine gluconate treatment, patient care associates, central line-associated bloodstream infections, CLABSI bundle, education