Chlorhexidine Dressings in Vascular Access: Evidence for Operfilm® Protect CHG
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) remain one of the most serious and preventable complications associated with vascular access devices. Central venous catheters (CVCs), peripheral lines, and arterial lines all carry a risk of infection at the insertion site, particularly when pathogens colonise the skin and migrate along the catheter tract. As part of a broader strategy to reduce CRBSIs, the use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-impregnated dressings has been widely adopted in hospitals across New Zealand and internationally.
CHG dressings function by maintaining a localised, sustained release of chlorhexidine at the catheter insertion site, reducing microbial colonisation on the skin and the surface of the catheter. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of CHG-impregnated dressings for short-term, non-tunnelled central venous catheters in patients over 18 years of age. This recommendation carries a Category IA rating, indicating strong support from well-designed clinical studies1.
Among the most studied CHG dressings is 3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG, a transparent dressing with a CHG gel pad designed to provide both antimicrobial protection and catheter site visibility. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Tegaderm™ CHG. In a multicentre, randomised controlled trial of 1,879 patients, Timsit et al. (2012) found a 60% reduction in CRBSIs compared to standard dressings2. Similarly, an 11-year study conducted in a Swiss intensive care unit showed sustained reductions in infection rates following the implementation of CHG dressings as part of a catheter care bundle3. A meta-analysis by Safdar et al. (2014) further confirmed these findings, concluding that CHG-impregnated dressings significantly reduce catheter colonisation and bloodstream infections4.
More recently, Operfilm® Protect CHG has emerged as a newer alternative to Tegaderm™ CHG. Manufactured by GBUK Healthcare, Operfilm® Protect CHG features a hydrogel-embedded CHG pad beneath a transparent, breathable film dressing. To evaluate its performance, a randomised controlled trial by Masferrer et al. (2024) compared Operfilm® to Tegaderm™ CHG in a cohort of healthy volunteers. The study assessed CHG delivery to the skin and reduction in microbial counts over a 7-day period5.
The findings showed that both dressings delivered similar concentrations of CHG to the skin at 2 and 7 days, as measured via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antimicrobial efficacy was also equivalent, with both products demonstrating significant reductions in colony-forming units (CFUs) beneath the dressing compared to control sites. Importantly, there were no significant differences in skin tolerability or irritation, suggesting that Operfilm® offers similar clinical benefits in terms of both efficacy and comfort.
Beyond comparative efficacy, the design of Operfilm® Protect CHG may offer some practical advantages in terms of flexibility and patient comfort. The dressing incorporates a soft, latex-free adhesive and a reinforced non-woven fabric border to help secure catheter lines without compromising visibility or breathability. The hydrogel formulation ensures even release of CHG, while also maintaining a moist wound interface that may support local skin integrity. These features position Operfilm® as a clinically viable and cost-effective alternative to existing CHG options.
The integration of CHG dressings into vascular access protocols represents an essential part of infection prevention in hospitals. As CRBSIs remain both costly and potentially life-threatening, evidence-backed tools like CHG dressings should be standard in central line care bundles. Both Tegaderm™ CHG and Operfilm® Protect CHG are supported by strong data, and emerging alternatives such as Operfilm® offer clinicians new options that maintain safety and effectiveness.
As more hospitals consider options for product standardisation and cost-effective infection prevention, studies such as the one conducted by Masferrer et al. provide reassurance that alternative dressings can meet high clinical standards. Venture Medical is proud to support products backed by this level of evidence, and we remain committed to bringing innovative infection prevention solutions to the New Zealand healthcare market.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/bsi/index.html ↩
Timsit, J. F., Schwebel, C., Bouadma, L., Geffroy, A., Garrouste-Orgeas, M., Pease, S., ... & Outin, H. (2012). Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges and less frequent dressing changes for prevention of catheter-related infections in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 301(12), 1231–1241. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.368 ↩
Eggimann, P., Sax, H., & Pittet, D. (2019). Catheter-related infections in the ICU. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 32(4), 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1097/QCO.0000000000000561 ↩
Safdar, N., O’Horo, J. C., Ghufran, A., Bearden, A., & Saint, S. (2014). Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing for prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection: a meta-analysis. Critical Care Medicine, 42(7), 1703–1713. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000000321 ↩
Masferrer, E., Piña, C., Sánchez-García, M., & Luque, P. (2024). Randomized controlled trial on healthy volunteers of pharmacokinetic and antimicrobial activity of a novel hydrogel-containing chlorhexidine dressing to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1335364. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1335364 ↩
