Updated Recommendations on Chlorhexidine-Impregnated (C-I) Dressings
Updated Recommendations on the Use of Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressings for Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections (2017)
Updated Recommendations on the Use of Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressings for Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections (2017)
Updated Recommendations on C-I Dressings – Print version Cdc-pdf[PDF – 267 KB]
Appendix to Updated Recommendations on C-I Dressings – Print version Cdc-pdf[PDF – 388 KB]
Notice
These recommendations supersede the chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing recommendations in Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections (2011)
Summary of Recommendations
These recommendations supersede only the two statements about C-I dressings in the section on Catheter Site Dressing Regimens (Recommendations 12 and 13) in the 2011 Guidelines.
HICPAC Recommendation Categories
| # | Recommendation | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1.a | For patients aged 18 years and older: Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings with an FDA-cleared label that specifies a clinical indication for reducing catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) or catheter-associated blood stream infection (CABSI) are recommended to protect the insertion site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters. (See Section 5.0 Implementation Considerations for Patients Aged 18 Years and Older). |
IA |
| 2.a | For patients younger than 18 years: Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings are NOT recommended to protect the site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters for premature neonates due to risk of serious adverse skin reactions. |
IC |
| 2.b | For patients younger than 18 years: Replace catheter site dressing if the dressing becomes damp, loosened, or visibly soiled. No recommendation can be made about the use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings to protect the site of short-term, non-tunneled central venous catheters for pediatric patients less than 18 years old and non-premature neonates due to the lack of sufficient evidence from published, high-quality studies about efficacy and safety in this age group. |
Unresolved Issue |
Page last reviewed: October 2, 2017