Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia With Toothbrushing in Oral Care of Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia With Toothbrushing in Oral Care of Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Effect of toothbrushing in oral care of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients on prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia

Prospective, before and after study in 5 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of a university hospital.

The before period (control phase, 6 months): standard oral care 3 times a day in every consecutive intubated patients in the participating ICUs The interphase period (1 month): formal training of all the nurses, physicians and residents on the use of toothbrushing during oral care The after period: (study phase, 6 months): standard oral care with tooth brushing 3 times a day in every consecutive intubated patients in the participating ICUs

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients
• Intubated mechanically ventilated ICU patient
• Platelets count >50G/L

Exclusion Criteria:

• Edentulous patients