Comparison 1. 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) versus alcohol hand sanitiser (61% alcohol and emollients).

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Changes in the numbers of colony‐forming units (CFUs) on nurses’ hands	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.10 [‐0.12, 0.32]
1.2 Adverse events (higher score is better)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.21 [‐0.37, ‐0.06]
1.2.1 Mean self‐reported skin change of nurses (mean score)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.80 [‐1.59, ‐0.01]
1.2.2 Mean observer‐reported skin changes of nurses (mean score)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.19 [‐0.35, ‐0.03]
1.3 Incidence rate of infection	1		Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.3.1 Pneumonia	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.17 [0.79, 5.96]
1.3.2 CNS	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.57 [0.84, 7.85]
1.3.3 Skin	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.76 [0.94, 3.29]
1.3.4 Conjunctivitis	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.18 [2.32, 4.37]
1.3.5 Bloodstream	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.26 [1.73, 2.93]
1.3.6 All infections	1	2932	Risk Ratio (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.19 [1.79, 2.69]