Octenidine vs Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine in Staphylococcus Aureus decolonisation in patients undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty

A previous pilot study performed by our research team at the Cairns Private Hospital in 2018 demonstrated that Octenidine had a comparable decolonisation rate to published data of mupirocin and chlorhexidine. The results from our study demonstrated a decolonisation rate of 76.8% in patients with S. Aureus. Our results showed no patients with community acquired MRSA were decolonised; however, published data from multiple ICU studies suggest Octenidine is effective in MRSA decolonisation.

The aim of this study is to perform a randomised control trial to compare decolonisation rates between Octenidine and a Mupirocin plus Chlorhexidine protocols. The study will be inclusive of all patients undergoing elective hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty at the Cairns Private Hospital.