THE QUALITY OF ORAL CARE IN CRITICAL CARE UNITS: IS IT TIME FOR CHANGE?

Document Type : Preliminary preprint short reports of original research

Authors

1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.

2 Department of Critical Care, Faculty oDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.f Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Oral care is a critical yet often underemphasized aspect of patient management in critical care units (CCUs). In these high-acuity environments, patients frequently experience conditions that compromise their ability to maintain adequate oral hygiene, including intubation, sedation, mechanical ventilation, and altered consciousness. These factors create a favorable environment for microbial colonization in the oral cavity, which can lead to serious complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), systemic infections, and inflammation that may further exacerbate critical illnesses. Additionally, poor oral care can result in discomfort, impaired communication, and diminished quality of life for patients, particularly those requiring prolonged stays in the CCU.
The significance of oral care extends beyond the immediate maintenance of hygiene. The oral cavity is a reservoir for pathogens that can travel to the lower respiratory tract or enter the bloodstream, resulting in nosocomial infections. Preventing such complications is especially vital in critically ill patients, whose immune systems are often compromised.

Keywords

ALEXMED ePosters
Volume 6, Issue 4
September 2024
Pages 99-100

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