The CHG bathing protocol directed the nurse to mix
the contents of a 4-ounce bottle of 4% CHG with warm
water in a 6-quart basin in the same fashion as performed
in the study by Climo et al.11 Typical linens used
for a bath included 6 washcloths and 4 bath towels,
although these numbers were not specified in the protocol.
Washcloths were used for 1 body area only and were
not reinserted into the CHG water after use. Staff bathed
patients from the neck down, avoiding contact with the
face, all mucous membranes, and wounds, as recommended
by the manufacturer. Bath basins were marked
as dedicated
for bathing
only. Staff
rinsed the
basin after
use and towel-dried it before storing it. If skin and
wound care items needed storage, the staff used a separate
basin or other container. Nurses had been educated
about the bathing protocol and bath basin maintenance
steps by the end of 2009. Education strategies included
the services of the unit champions, use of posters and
newsletters, and inclusion of the CHG bathing protocol in
unit orientations. Implementation of the protocol began
in January 2010