Hand — Washing in a neonatal intensive care unit: Comparative effectiveness of chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v and triclosan 1% w/v

Abstract

o 1. To evaluate the effects of triclosan on the methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates in a neonatal intensive care nursery. 2. To measure the amount of skin damage caused by handwashing with triclosan. A seven-week controlled prospective study between two hospital wards using different hand wash products, combined with clinical information on MRSA rates during the previous 10 months. All neonates and nursing staff in the intensive care and special care nurseries of a major metropolitan Australian hospital. The average weekly ‘new case’ MRSA rate was reduced from 3.4 per cent to 0.14 per cent (p>0.0001) in the experimental ward whilst no significant changes occurred in the control ward. Staff reported less skin damage and a higher rate of acceptance with the trial product. Results from the seven-week trial support wider use of the product and more extensive follow-up evaluation.