In Vitro Antimicrobial Effectiveness of 5 Catheter Insertion-Site Dressings

Polyurethane foam dressing impregnated with chlorhexidine gluconate was compared with 4 silver dressings for antimicrobial efficacy. Efficacy of antimicrobial dressings was evaluated using zone of inhibition assay against 7 clinically relevant bacteria and yeast. The test was carried out for up to 7 consecutive days by transferring the dressings daily. Microbiocidal activity exhibited by different dressings within the zone of inhibition was also evaluated as a part of the study. Three silver dressings were similar to each other in performance and had different patterns of efficacy varying from days 1 to 6 than the chlorhexidine dressing. A hydrogel dressing containing silver performed poorly compared to all other dressings. The study results indicated that the antimicrobial dressing impregnated with chlorhexidine gluconate had excellent antimicrobial activity and showed sustained efficacy for a period of 7 days.