Journal of infection in developing countries
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Apr 2012
Oral care practice for the ventilated patients in intensive care units: a pilot survey.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). One factor causing VAP is aspiration of oral colonisation, which may result from poor oral care practice. Oral care using tooth brushing can prevent formulation of dental plaque that can be a reservoir for microbes causing VAP. ⋯ The survey showed the need to have standardised oral care protocols in ICUs to improve quality of oral care provided to ventilated patients.