Open AccessImpact of chlorhexidine mouthwash prophylaxis on probable ventilator-associated pneumonia in a surgical intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Emmanuel N. Enwere,
Kathryn Elofson,
Rachel C. Forbes,
Anthony T. Gerlach
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of critical illness and injury science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.274
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2231-5004
pISSN - 2229-5151
DOI - 10.4103/2229-5151.177368
Subject(s) - medicine , ventilator associated pneumonia , chlorhexidine , pneumonia , intensive care unit , chlorhexidine gluconate , intensive care medicine , dentistry
Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia is a healthcare goal. Although data is inconsistent, some studies suggest that oral chlorhexidine may decrease rates of pneumonia in mechanically-ventilated patients. We sought to assess the rate of pneumonia in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) pre and post implementation of routine chlorhexidine mouthwash prophylaxis.