I know that CHG is only approved as a sklin antiseptic (at least I dont think that has changed yet) but wondering if anyone out there is using CHG wipes instead of alcohol wipes? If so, do you use all the time....before the first access only or?? Thanks for any guidance you can provide
Lynne Farkas
Trinity Health
You are correct that CHG is only labeled as a skin antiseptic agent and not a disinfectant agent yet. CDC does list this as an acceptable agent to clean a needleless connector though and I do know there are facilities using CHG pads for this purpose. You will still need to clean before each connection. So a SASH will mean 4 pads and 4 cleanings. All CHG available in the US contains alcohol. My question is which agent is actually doing the work on an inanimate surface - the alcohol or the CHG? Does the CHG bind to plastic in a similar manner as it does to skin cells and thus make it more affective over time? I have not seen the answers to these questions yet. So if the cheaper alcohol pad will work just as well and if alcohol in the CHG products is acting fastest anyway, then why do we need the CHG? There is beginning to be some good evidence for the protective caps impregnated with alcohol. There was a very good poster at APIC this year that did show a reduction in intraluminal contamination rates when these alcohol protection caps were used. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861