ObjectiveTo study the effect of different skin disinfectant on the prevention of catheterrelated bloodstream infection (CRBSI). MethodsClinical control study was used to compare the difference in incidences of CRBSI in patients who used compound skin disinfectant and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) alcohol skin disinfectant before central venous catheterization in the intensive care unit of a tertiary first class hospital between December 2011 and May 2014. ResultsAmong patients who used 2% CHG alcohol skin disinfectant, 2 had CRBSI, one was gramnegative bacterial infection (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the other was grampositive bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus)，incidence of CRBSI was 0.44‰(2/4 546）; among patients who used compound skin disinfectant, 22 had CRBSI, 13 were gramnegative bacterial infection, 7 were grampositive bacterial infection, and 2 were fungal infection, incidence of CRBSI was 4.11‰(22/5 349), incidence of CRBSI between two groups of patients was significantly different (χ2=15.640，P<0.01). Conclusion2% CHG alcohol skin disinfectant has a better effect on the skin disinfection before central venous catheterization, which can effectively reduce the incidence of CRBSI in ICU patients, and is worthy of priority clinical application.