Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing in Hospital-Based Infection Prevention and Control: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in hospital-based infection prevention and control (IPC).

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database on March 15, 2026. A structured search strategy combining terms related to chlorhexidine, bathing or decolonization practices, healthcare settings, and infection prevention was applied. Following title and abstract screening according to predefined eligibility criteria, 305 publications were included. Bibliometric indicators and network analyses were performed to examine publication trends, citation performance, collaboration patterns, and research themes.

Results: The findings demonstrated a steady increase in CHG bathing research over time, with a marked growth beginning around 2016. The 305 publications received 11,506 citations, with an average of 37.72 citations per publication and an h-index of 52. The United States was the leading contributor in terms of publication output and international collaboration. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed that the literature is primarily focused on intensive care units, healthcare-associated infection prevention, decolonization strategies, and multidrug-resistant organisms. Citation-based analyses indicated that the field is supported by a cohesive and clinically oriented evidence base dominated by influential intervention studies and infection prevention journals.

Keywords

• Bibliometrics
• Chlorhexidine gluconate
• healthcare-associated infections
• Infection control
• Intensive care units

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

I declare that I have adhered to scientific and ethical principles in conducting and writing this study, and that I have properly cited all sources used. Not required because the study used publicly available bibliographic data.

Hastane Temelli Enfeksiyon Önleme ve Kontrolünde Klorheksidin Glukonat Banyosu: Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, hastane temelli enfeksiyon önleme ve kontrolünde klorheksidin glukonat (CHG) banyosu kullanımıyla ilgili bilimsel literatürün kapsamlı bir bibliyometrik analizini gerçekleştirmeyi amaçlamıştır.

Yöntem: 15 Mart 2026 tarihinde Web of Science Core Collection veritabanından elde edilen yayınlar kullanılarak bir bibliyometrik analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Klorheksidin, banyo veya dekolonizasyon uygulamaları, sağlık hizmeti ortamları ve enfeksiyon önleme ile ilişkili terimleri içeren yapılandırılmış bir arama stratejisi kullanılmıştır. Önceden belirlenen uygunluk kriterlerine göre başlık ve özet taramasının ardından 305 yayın analize dahil edilmiştir. Yayın eğilimleri, atıf performansı, iş birliği örüntüleri ve araştırma temalarının incelenmesi amacıyla bibliyometrik göstergeler ve ağ analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir.

Bulgular: Sonuçlar, CHG banyosu araştırmalarının zaman içerisinde düzenli olarak arttığını ve özellikle 2016 yılı civarında belirgin bir büyüme gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Analize dahil edilen 305 yayın toplam 11.506 atıf almış olup yayın başına ortalama atıf sayısı 37,72 ve h-indeksi 52 olarak belirlenmiştir. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri hem yayın sayısı hem de uluslararası iş birlikleri açısından en üretken ülke olarak öne çıkmıştır. Anahtar sözcük eş-oluşum analizi, literatürün ağırlıklı olarak yoğun bakım üniteleri, sağlık bakımı ilişkili enfeksiyonların önlenmesi, dekolonizasyon stratejileri ve çoklu ilaca dirençli mikroorganizmalar etrafında şekillendiğini göstermiştir. Atıf temelli analizler ise alanın, etkili girişim çalışmaları ve enfeksiyon önleme dergileri tarafından desteklenen bütüncül ve klinik odaklı bir kanıt temeline sahip olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.

Sonuç: Bulgular, CHG banyosu araştırmalarının gelişimini ve mevcut bilgi yapısını kapsamlı biçimde ortaya koymaktadır. Araştırma eğilimlerinin, etkili kanıtların ve mevcut bilgi boşluklarının belirlenmesi; hemşirelerin, enfeksiyon önleme ve kontrol profesyonellerinin, araştırmacıların ve sağlık yöneticilerinin kanıta dayalı uygulamaları güçlendirmesine ve gelecekteki araştırma önceliklerinin belirlenmesine katkı sağlayabilir.

Keywords

• Bibliyometri
• Enfeksiyon kontrolü
• Klorheksidin glukonat
• Sağlık bakımı ilişkili enfeksiyonlar
• Yoğun bakım üniteleri

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