Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Hair Bath on the Development of Surgical Site Infection and Time to Discharge

One of the most important preventable complications occurring in the postoperative period is surgical site infections. Surgical site infections (SSI) are infections that occur in incisions, organs or organ spaces that occur after surgery. The mortality rate of patients who develop SSI is twice as high as that of patients who do not develop infection, the duration of intensive care stay increases by 60%, and the rate of hospital admission after discharge is five times higher. As the number of surgical procedures and procedures continues to increase, preventing surgical site infections becomes increasingly important. One of the reasons for infection after cranial surgery is the patient's scalp flora. The skin and scalp have the potential to cause many bacterial and harmful fungal infections. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that patients take a shower/bath with soap or an antiseptic solution at least one night before the day of surgery. Although there is no definitive evidence that this practice reduces surgical site infections, the fact that most surgical site infections are caused by microorganisms on the skin supports the recommendation. The research was planned as a randomized controlled, single-blind experimental study. The sample will be divided into three groups in total, two intervention groups and one control group, by randomization method. The intervention 1 group will have a hair bath with chlorhexidine the evening before the operation, the intervention 2 group will first have a hair bath with the product used by the patient and then with chlorhexidine, and the control group will have a hair bath with the soap/shampoo the patient uses himself. The product available on the market will be used. The hair of patients in intervention groups 1 and 2 will be washed twice, using 5 ml of chlorhexidine each time. After applying the solution, it will be left for 1 minute and then rinsed. After rinsing, the hair will be dried with a disposable towel. The purpose of this study; The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hair bath with chlorhexidine solution on the occurrence of SSI and discharge time in patients scheduled for cranial surgery in the brain and neurosurgery clinic.