Consumer Group Asks FDA to Warn Patients About Hypertension Combination Therapy

Abstract

do targeted decolonization (applying mupirocin in the nose and bathing the patient in chlorhexidine daily) on those who screened positive for the bacterium, and a third group was assigned to decolonize all ICU patients without screening. The team found that universal decolonization was most effective at reducing MRSA infections in the ICU, with a 37% reduction in the risk of MRSA colonization and a 44% reduction in bloodstream infections. There were few adverse events among patients who received the chlorhexidine baths, the most common of which were mild rashes that resolved after discontinuing the baths. The investigators believe that using chlorhexidine and mupirocin in this manner involves little risk, Huang said, although clinicians will need to be vigilant to determine whether wide use of these techniques engender resistance to these agents. “I do think these results are compelling enough to make some hospitals change their practices,” said Daniel Diekema,MD,of theUniversityof Iowa, who moderated a press briefing about Huang’sstudy.“Somehospitalsarealready bathing ICU patients in chlorhexidine daily.”