Impact of routine chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor on MDRO colonization and environmental contamination in nursing homes.
Publication Title
Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-22-2025
Keywords
califoria; torrance
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nursing homes residents have a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization. Recent trials demonstrated that decolonizing residents reduces infection. However, decolonization's impact on environmental MDRO contamination is not well understood.
METHODS: We performed a 9-month pilot (3-month baseline, 3-month phase-in and 3-month intervention) in 3 nursing homes implementing routine chlorhexidine bathing/showering and nasal iodophor. We repeatedly tested for colonization via skin and nasal swabs for methicillin-resistant
RESULTS: Decolonization decreased the odds of MDRO colonization in nursing home residents by 55% (OR 0.45,
CONCLUSION: Routine chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor significantly reduced MDRO body colonization among nursing home residents. However, in rooms of residents who remained MDRO carriers, environmental contamination was unchanged during the decolonization intervention. Efforts to ensure fomite surface clearance in rooms of MDRO carriers may be key to reducing environmental MDRO spread.
Specialty/Research Institute
Infectious Diseases
DOI
10.1017/ice.2025.10234
