3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV securement dressing review - Showcase Hospitals Local Technology Review Report number 5

As part of the Department of Health’s Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) Technology Innovation Programme, Showcase Hospitals undertook local technology reviews of infection related products or technologies in which they have a specific interest. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust decided to review the 3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Securement Dressing which is a transparent adhesive dressing with an integrated gel pad containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). The dressing is used in addition to skin antiseptic delivering CHG over a seven day period to the skin around the catheter insertion site, reducing the risk of possible infections leading to catheter related bloodstream infections. 3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG Dressing was evaluated over a four month period from January to April 2011. The cost of 1000 dressings equates to a single avoidable healthcare associated infection which is estimated to cost the NHS £7,000. The cost of treating a bloodstream infection is likely to be higher as length of stay in hospital is much longer.