Chlorhexidine Gluconate Baths for Surgical Patients

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is an antibacterial cleanser for the skin. Cleansing materials usually have 2% or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate in them. Majority of the time chlorhexidine gluconate bath wipes are utilized for patients with central lines requiring stronger antibacterial soaps to decrease the risk for infection. The intense antibacterial properties have been researched for surgical patients as well for the stronger antibacterial affect. Research shows that CHG prevents infections at a better rate than most antiseptics such as povidone iodine. CHG has a 7.1% decrease in infection rates, which is conclusive with implementing chlorhexidine gluconate baths for all surgical patients (Srinivas, 2015).