Lior Feldman1, Eran Galili2, Yuval Cohen2, Michael Hartal3, Nirit Yavnai3, Itamar Netzer2. 1. Medical Branch, Israeli Navy, Tel Aviv, Israel; Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Aviv, Israel; Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine Family Residency Program, Glen Cove, NY. Electronic address: liorfeldman@gmail.com. 2. Medical Branch, Israeli Navy, Tel Aviv, Israel; Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hand disinfection with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is commonly used for preventing the spread of infection in medical institutions and the community, but studies on its use in military settings have been inconclusive. We examined the effects of CHG on morbidity in Israeli Navy ships. METHODS: This was a controlled, cluster randomized study that took place at a major naval base in Israel. Ships were randomly selected into the study (347 sailors) and primary control (350 sailors) groups. Additional nonintervention control groups included other sailors serving on the base (n = 360) and logistics and support personnel (n = 859). CHG disinfection devices were installed on all ships in the study group, alongside soap and water. Morbidity was analyzed using a computerized patient record, subjective self-report questionnaires, and a sample of hand cultures. Compliance with hand hygiene was analyzed using a self-report hygiene attitudes questionnaire at the beginning of the trial and after 3 months. The study took place between May and September 2014. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of sick days or light-duty days or in the number of acute gastrointestinal or respiratory cases. Sailors were found to have more skin infections than controls, but this was not significantly reduced by CHG. Hand cultures demonstrated that continuous use of CHG did not cause a reduction in colonization. There were no statistically significant differences in self-reported hygiene practices. CONCLUSIONS:CHG did not demonstrate any medical benefit over the use of soap and water onboard Israeli Navy ships. Copyright Â
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Hand disinfection with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is commonly used for preventing the spread of infection in medical institutions and the community, but studies on its use in military settings have been inconclusive. We examined the effects of CHG on morbidity in Israeli Navy ships. METHODS: This was a controlled, cluster randomized study that took place at a major naval base in Israel. Ships were randomly selected into the study (347 sailors) and primary control (350 sailors) groups. Additional nonintervention control groups included other sailors serving on the base (n = 360) and logistics and support personnel (n = 859). CHG disinfection devices were installed on all ships in the study group, alongside soap and water. Morbidity was analyzed using a computerized patient record, subjective self-report questionnaires, and a sample of hand cultures. Compliance with hand hygiene was analyzed using a self-report hygiene attitudes questionnaire at the beginning of the trial and after 3 months. The study took place between May and September 2014. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of sick days or light-duty days or in the number of acute gastrointestinal or respiratory cases. Sailors were found to have more skin infections than controls, but this was not significantly reduced by CHG. Hand cultures demonstrated that continuous use of CHG did not cause a reduction in colonization. There were no statistically significant differences in self-reported hygiene practices. CONCLUSIONS:CHG did not demonstrate any medical benefit over the use of soap and water onboard Israeli Navy ships. Copyright Â
Authors: Tom Jefferson; Chris B Del Mar; Liz Dooley; Eliana Ferroni; Lubna A Al-Ansary; Ghada A Bawazeer; Mieke L van Driel; Mark A Jones; Sarah Thorning; Elaine M Beller; Justin Clark; Tammy C Hoffmann; Paul P Glasziou; John M Conly Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2020-11-20