3M Tegaderm Matrix dressing with PHIT technology

Cardinal Health’s ChloraPrep with 2% CHG.

Comfort Bath rinse-free, disposable washcloths from Sage Products provide one-step cleansing and moisturizing, eliminating the need for soap and water and a potential source of HAI’s: the bath basin.

Kimberly Clark’s KimVent 24-Hour Oral Care q4 and q2 Kits provide a systematic and flexible oral care system developed to assist caregivers in meeting the CDC’s recommendations for patients at risk for VAP.

While there are many tried and true products that are the staple of any infection preventionist’s toolkit, it’s also important to be on the lookout for new developments that can enhance existing efforts.

According to Sue Barnes, national leader, infection prevention and control and patient safety, Kaiser Permanente Program Offices, and a member of the National APIC communications committee, "some examples of new products for which there is promising initial evidence, but not yet large randomized controlled studies include antimicrobial impregnated dressings to reduce post op infections, and chlorhexidine impregnated bathing cloths to reduce device associated infections as well as transmission of MRSA and C.diff."

Additional products which may be in place in some medical centers, but not all and for which there may be less than category 1 evidence to support, noted Barnes include:

• chlorhexidine impregnated site dressings for use on all centrally and peripherally inserted central catheters

• sutureless adhesive anchoring devices for central lines

• chlorhexidine oral rinse for use as part of a routine oral care program

• yankauer suction wand holster to keep wand off floor and out of patient bed

• antimicrobial impregnated and continuous intermittent suction endotracheal tubes

• dual agent skin preps – alcohol plus either chlorhexidine or povidone iodine for example

• antimicrobial impregnated incise drapes