The aim of the research was to examine the effect of oral care bundle application on oral health, salivary pH (power of hydrogen), dry mouth and ventilator associated pneumonia in intubated patients compared to standard oral care.
Maintaining the integrity of the oral mucosa in intensive care unit patients is very important due to its close relationship with systemic health, disease risk and self-image, as well as comfort and nutrition. Serious problems develop in patients who have no or insufficient saliva movement or production, are unconscious, or have an artificial airway. Oral health problems, which begin with the deterioration of the saliva flow and content of intubated patients, lead to much more risky and costly situations that end in ventilator associated pneumonia. In the literature, it is seen that oral care practices performed in accordance with protocols increase the risk of complications and that bundle care practices used in different care areas increase the performance of care.In this randomized controlled study, people who were aged between 18 and 70, had received mechanical ventilation support, were intubated orally and in the first 24 hours of intubation, and had a stable hemodynamic status were included in the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
35
In the first stage, oral health was evaluated and data about the patient was collected. In the second stage, an oral care bundle containing an oral care combination was applied to the experimental group. According to this bundle application, patients were received tooth brushing (with chlorhexidine solution) and ice water application twice a day and moisturizing attempts 4 times a day. In the 3rd stage, saliva pH, dry mouth (amount of salivation) and ventilator associated pneumonia development status of the experimental group patients were evaluated. Measurements were made by the researcher using the Bedside Oral Exam scale, pH (power of hydrogen) strip and Schirmer Tear Test Strip. Data regarding whether patients were diagnosed with ventilator associated pneumonia were obtained from the Infection Control Committee.
In the first stage, oral health was evaluated and data about the patient was collected. In the second stage, routine oral care protocol used in intensive care unit was applied to patients by the patients' primary nurse. According to this application, patients were received oral care using tongue depressor with wrapped in gauze and chlorhexidine solution 4 times a day. In the 3rd stage, saliva pH (power of hydrogen), dry mouth (amount of salivation) and ventilator associated pneumonia development status of the experimental group patients were evaluated. Measurements were made by the researcher using the Bedside Oral Exam scale, pH (power of hydrogen) strip and Schirmer Tear Test Strip. Data regarding whether patients were diagnosed with ventilator associated pneumonia were obtained from the Infection Control Committee.
Gül Güneş AKTAN
Niğde, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
Individual Identification Form
The form was prepared by the researcher in line with literature information. It consists of 9 questions covering the characteristics of the patients (demographic characteristics, diagnoses, APACHE II scores, Glasgow Coma Scale score, rules, feeding patterns, intubation tube number).
Time frame: First day of data collection
Bedside Oral Exam Scale
Oral health was assessed using the scale. The scale consists of 8 subheadings (swallowing, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gums, teeth or dentures, and smell). The scale score ranges from 8 points (perfect oral health) to 24 points (impaired oral health).
Time frame: Evaluated for five days.
In this outcome measure, the patients'vsaliva pH (power of hydrogen) was evaluated.
Merck brand Universal pH 0-14 indicator was used to measure the saliva pH of the patients. The indicator was placed on the tongue and waited for 1 minute, and the resulting color change was compared with the color scale on the box. According to the literature, the average pH of unstimulated saliva has been determined to be approximately 6.8.
Time frame: The 1st, 3rd and 5th days of oral care practices
In this outcome measure, the patients' saliva amount was evaluated.
Schirmer Tear Test Strip was used in the application. The Modified Schirmer Test strip was placed under the tongue by holding its end with forceps, and after waiting for 3 minutes, the mm value of the wetness on the strip was read.
Time frame: The 1st, 3rd and 5th days of oral care practices.
In this outcome measure, it was evaluated whether ventilator-associated pneumonia occured in patients receiving care.
To avoid bias regarding the method used, the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia was made independently by the treatment team. In the Intensive Care Unit of Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia is made by the physician using the nosocomial infection diagnostic criteria of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information about the development of ventilator associated pneumonia was obtained from the infection control nurse.
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Time frame: Evaluated for five days.