Reducing Surgical Site Infections After Open Abdominal Surgery Using Chlorhexidine Bathing and Nasal Mupirocin

What this Trial Is About

The DECREASE SSI Trial studies surgical site infections in adults who have recently undergone open colon or small bowel surgery. The trial aims to find out if using specific antiseptic treatments after hospital discharge can reduce infections at the surgery site. This Phase 4, randomized study involves 2,700 participants and seeks to improve care for the many patients undergoing these surgeries each year. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group uses a chlorhexidine body wash daily for 30 days after discharge combined with an antibiotic nasal ointment mupirocin applied twice daily for five days during the first two weeks. The other group uses a soap without antiseptic properties and a placebo nasal ointment on the same schedules. This comparison evaluates whether the antiseptic treatments reduce infection rates compared to routine care. During the study, participants regularly bathe or shower and apply nasal ointment as directed. Researchers monitor for surgical site infections occurring within 30 days after hospital discharge. Participants will be followed to measure the time until the first infection after discharge. The research team carefully tracks adherence, collects health information, and monitors safety throughout the 30-day post-discharge period.

Decolonization to Reduce After-Surgery Events of Surgical Site Infection