Daily scrub saves lives

Johns Hopkins

Washing critically ill hospital patients with the same antibacterial solution doctors use to scrub up before surgery led to a 73 percent drop in potentially fatal bloodstream infections. Study results showed that a daily antibacterial bath was even effective in warding off infection from two of the most common and virulent hospital superbugs.

The antibacterial agent is effective yet inexpensive, and can be added to the patients' daily soap and water baths. Plus, protecting patients from additional infections reduces their recovery period, saving time, money, work and lives.