Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine Bathing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

This is a prospective, controlled; crossover study of daily bathing with no-rinse, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) impregnated washcloths versus bathing with water/soap or water according to gestational age and weight (e.g. standard bathing). The trial will take place in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Baseline data ragarding bloodstream infections (BSI) and colonization with multidrug resistant orgnisms (MDRO) will be collected for 3-6 months prior to patient enrollment. In the preliminary phase of the study we will establish the safety of chlorhexidine bathing using Clinell ® Chlorhexidine wash cloths on three groups of patients: term infants admitted to the NICU; late preterm infants (34-37 weeks); preterm infants 30-34 weeks of gestation. Interim analysis for adverse events will be performed after each group of patients. In the subsequent phases of the study, all infants admitted to the NICU and enrolled in the study will be bathed three times a week with Chlorhexidine wash cloths during the initial 6-months study period (intervention), followed by standard bathing during the second 6-months period, then again intervention period for 6 months and standard bathing for 6-months. Total study period- 3 years. Data collection will include all bloodstream infections as well as surveillance cultures