Why is my child being washed with Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)?
Skin with less germs should help limit the chance of more severe infections while in the hospital. Washing with a special germ-killing liquid called CHG helps reduce the number of germs on your child’s skin.
Children in the hospital are more at risk if they:
- Are in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- Have a breathing tube.
- Have a urinary catheter.
- Have a central line.
How will your child’s skin be washed?
- Washing is done daily.
- Cloths are not used on the face, ears, eyes, nose, mouth or the private (genital) area. These areas will be rinsed with warm water if the cloths do touch them, so they don’t get red and irritated.
- If your child is visibly dirty, a regular soap and water bath may be given first. After at least one hour, the CHG cloths will be used.
- The cloths are only used on healthy skin.
- Approved lotions may be used to keep your child’s skin moist. Check with your nurse before using any lotions from home.
- The cloths should be thrown away in the trash. They cannot be flushed down the toilet.Lines and tubes should not be cleaned with the CHG cloths. They are cleaned differently.
Lines and tubes should not be cleaned with the CHG cloths. They are cleaned differently.
How many CHG cloths do need to use for a CHG wash or treatment?
CHG Cloth Less than10 kilograms (kg) or 22 pounds (lbs): Use 2 clothes = 1 packet
CHG Cloth #1: Neck, chest, both arms and hands and back
CHG Cloth #2: Both legs, butt, and groin
10 to 30 kilograms (kg) or 23 to 66 pounds (lbs): Use 4 cloths = 2 packets
CHG Cloth #1: Neck, chest, both arms and hands
CHG Cloth #2: Back and butt
CHG Cloth #3: Both legs
CHG Cloth #4: Groin
More than 30 kilograms (kg) or 66 pounds (lbs): Use 6 cloths = 3 packets
CHG Cloth #1: Neck, chest, both arms and hands
CHG Cloth #2: Right leg
CHG Cloth #3: Left leg
CHG Cloth #4: Back
CHG Cloth #5: Butt
CHG Cloth #6: Groin
For more information
https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents