Comparison of Efficacy of 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate–Alcohol and 10% Povidone-Iodine–Alcohol against Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections and Bacterial Colonization at Central Venous Catheter Insertion Sites: A Prospective, Single-Center, Open-Label, Crossover Study

An effective antiseptic agent is an essential component of a central venous catheter (CVC) care bundle, to protect against catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). We conducted a trial to compare the incidences of CRBSI and the growth of insertion site flora in patients with CVC using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate–alcohol (CHG) or 10% povidone-iodine–alcohol (PVI) in the CVC care bundle. Patients who were admitted to two medical intensive care units (ICUs) and had CVC placement for >48 h were enrolled. Using a two-way crossover design with two six-month interventions, the ICUs were assigned to use either CHG or PVI in their care bundles. A total of 446 catheters in 390 subjects were enrolled in the study. The detection rate of flora was greater in the PVI group on both day 7 (26.6% versus 6.3%, p < 0.001) and day 14 (43.2% versus 15.8%, p < 0.001). The incidence rate of CRBSI was higher in the PVI group compared to the CHG group (2.15 vs. 0 events per 1000-catheter-days, p = 0.001), although the significance was lost in the multivariate analysis. In conclusion, 2% CHG was superior to 10% PVI in the CVC care bundle in terms of the inhibition of skin flora growth at CVC insertion sites and was potentially associated with lower incidence rates of CRBSI.