Antibacterial Wipes Could Help Prevent Hospital-Acquired MRSA Infections

Wiping or bathing patients with antibacterial wipes that have been soaked in chlorhexidine may help prevent or reduce the risk of deadly hospital-required MRSA infections. According to new research, patients who were washed down using washcloths soaked with chlorhexidine had an approximately 23 percent lower risk of an MRSA infection than patients who did not receive anti-bacterial washing.

The study was conducted by researchers at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. According to the researchers, antibacterial chlorhexidine washcloths are an effective and cost-efficient way to reduce the risk of the deadly infection, which is caused by a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.

The researchers analyzed data from six hospitals. Some patients were washed with the antiseptic chlorhexidine-soaked washcloths, while some were washed with non-antimicrobial washcloths. Patients were bathed using one method for a period of six months. After that, the hospital switched back to the other method of washing patients. Researchers monitored patients for the acquisition of multidrug-resistant organisms.

They found that patients had greater resistance to such infections after they were washed with the antibacterial wipes.

Earlier research has also indicated to Seattle medical malpractice lawyers that the use of chlorhexidine washcloths is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of deadly central catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

The prevention of hospital-acquired infections caused by the deadly MRSA organism has been a major priority for American hospitals, including those in Seattle. MRSA is linked to thousands of hospital-acquired infections every year that result in extended hospital stays and increased risk of fatality.

The Seattle medical malpractice lawyers at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC represent victims of medical negligence by doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel across Seattle.