A study published in the Journal of Intensive Care Medicine found that the use of Silverlon antimicrobial dressings for central venous catheters significantly decreased central line-associated bloodstream infections in adult ICU patients compared to chlorhexidine gluconate-impregnated sponge dressings.
Here are four things to know.
1. Argentum Medical's Silverlon silver-plated nylon technology is designed to provide the antimicrobial benefits of silver without staining the skin and increasing bioburden.
2. The retrospective cohort study at Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital assessed 3,189 patient records from seven different ICUs during a two-year period. Patients received either CHGIS dressings or SDs. The study measured CLABSI rates per 1000 catheter days and ICU length of stay.
3. The study demonstrated a 46 percent reduction in the CLABSI rate per 1,000 days in the Silverlon group.
4. Tampa General Hospital has maintained the reduced CLABSI rates since the study period across seven different ICUs with estimated cost savings of $4,070 to $39,600 per 1,000 catheter days.
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