Decolonize Patients
Below are materials to assist in staff education of decolonization. The materials provided include training documents, FAQs for staff, and talking points for use with patients. It is suggested that you adapt these materials to meet your unit’s needs.
Protocol Training
Training Module: Protocol Training: Decolonization with CHG (PPTX, 4.4 MB)
Provides a training PowerPoint on chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) decolonization protocols. It should be edited to reflect your unit’s specific protocols
Training Module: Protocol Training: Nasal Decolonization (PPTX, 1.0 MB)
Provides a training PowerPoint on nasal decolonization protocols. It should be edited to reflect your unit’s specific protocols.
Skin Decolonization Training Videos
These training videos were originally developed by AHRQ as part of the "ABATE Toolkit for Decolonization of Non-ICU Patients with Devices." While these videos were developed with non-ICU patients in mind, the techniques demonstrated are suitable for patients in all acute care settings. These videos are publicly available on YouTube.
Video: ABATE Toolkit for Decolonization of Hospital Non-ICU Patients With Indwelling Devices: Overview
This video gives step-by-step demonstrations of conducting decolonization using various methods, and features scenarios of healthcare staff discussing decolonization with patients and addressing their concerns.
For convenience, below is a list of topics that are presented in this video, along with corresponding timepoints and direct links to those timepoints.
| Topic | Timepoint |
|---|---|
| Instructions for CHG Bed Bath Using Impregnated Cloths | 2:38 – 4:26 |
| Instructions for CHG Bed Bath Using Diluted CHG Liquid | 4:27 – 5:38 |
| Instructions for Patient Self-Showering with CHG | 9:00 – 10:23 |
| Scenario: Talking to a Patient about CHG Decolonization | 5:38 - 7:37 |
| Scenario: Teaching a Patient How to Self-Shower with CHG | 7:38 – 8:59 |
| Scenario: Talking to a Patient about Nasal Mupirocin | 10:24 – 11:54 |
Video: ABATE Toolkit: Cleaning Central and Midline Catheters With CHG
This video demonstrates proper techniques for daily CHG cleaning of central and midline catheters, including the cleaning of device insertion sites.
Video: ABATE Toolkit: Cleaning Lumbar Drains With CHG
This video demonstrates proper techniques of daily CHG bathing of patients with lumbar drains.
Staff Training Materials & FAQs
Info Sheet: Decolonization Do's and Don'ts (DOCX, 395 KB)
A handy tip sheet reminds staff of important Do's and Don'ts for decolonization.
Staff FAQs: Staff Frequently Asked Questions: CHG, Nasal, & Wound Care (DOCX, 406 KB)
Provides answers to frequently asked questions on CHG bathing, nasal decolonization, and wound care with decolonization.
Staff FAQs: Staff Frequently Asked Questions: Safety & Side Effects (DOCX, 395 KB)
Addresses frequently asked questions regarding safety and side effects.
Tool: Decolonization: Sample Adherence Report (DOCX, 395 KB)
A sample report template to track daily adherence to decolonization procedures among staff.
Talking Points for Patients
Talking Points: Talking Points for Patients: Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Bathing (DOCX, 401 KB)
Key talking points and answers to common patient questions about CHG bathing.
Talking Points: Talking Points for Patients: Nasal Decolonization (DOCX, 394 KB)
Key talking points and answers to common patient questions on nasal decolonization.
Note
Materials are adapted from “Universal ICU Decolonization: An Enhanced Protocol” and the "Toolkit for Decolonization of Non-ICU Patients With Devices."
