Introduction: Recommendations for different types of bathing to prevent central lineassociated bloodstream infections are still divergent. Purposes: of this study was to verify whether bed bathing with wipes impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine compared to conventional bed bathing is more effective in preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections. Methods: Systematic review of the literature by consulting the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science from the date of inception until July 1, 2023, with no language or time restrictions.Randomized controlled trials were evaluated using the tool Risk of Bias Assessment Tool II and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Results: A total of 84,462 studies was examined, of which 6 were included in the meta-analysis. Data from 20,188 critical care patients included in primary studies were analyzed. The meta-analysis found that bed bathing with wipes impregnated with 2% Chlorhexidine reduced the risk of prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections among adult by 48% compared to conventional bed bathing (risk ratio 0.52; 95%CI, 0.37 to 0.73), and this is moderate-quality evidence. The reduction in length of stay in the intensive care unit and length of hospital stay as well as the risk of death were not significantly different between the study groups. Whether bed bathing with 2% Chlorhexidine -impregnated wipes increases the occurrence of skin reactions is unclear.
Conclusion:This meta-analysis provides moderate-quality evidence that daily bathing with 2% Chlorhexidine -impregnated wipes is safe and helps prevent central lineassociated bloodstream infections among adult intensive care unit patients.