1Department of Infection Control, Chonbuk University Hospital 2College of Nursing, The Cattholic University of Korea
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different oral care treatments on the oral state of patients with intubation in intensive care units. Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group design with repeated measures. The patients were assigned a normal saline, chlorhexidine or toothbrushing group. Each group received its own oral care treatment for 5 minutes, twice a day and for 8 days. The oral assessment guide, hygiene performance index and pathogenic microorganisms. Data were collected from patients before the experiment, 4 days after, and 8 days after completion and were evaluated. Results: The chlorhexidine group and tooth brushing group showed significant improvement on the oral assessment guide and decrease in the hygiene performance index, compared to the normal saline group. Similarly, pathogenic microorganisms were significantly decreased in the chlorhexidine group and tooth brushing group, when compared to the normal saline group. Conclusions: Oral treatments with chlorhexidine and toothbrushing improve the oral health state of patients, therefore use of chlorhexidine and toothbrushing could be an effective nursing intervention for intubated patients in intensive care units.
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