Oral care practices in intensive care units: a survey of 59 European ICUs

Abstract

In European ICUs oral care is considered very important. It is experienced as a task that is difficult to perform, and that does not necessarily succeed in ensuring oral health in patients with prolonged intubation. Oral care consists primarily of mouth washes. The use of toothbrushes should be given more attention.

Ethnographic Investigation of Oral Care in the Intensive Care Unit

“…31,44,45 Therefore, standardized documentation of oral care could be amended to include the behavioral and technical components of this care. In line with recommendations of previous studies [46][47][48][49] that reported limited procedural preparation for oral care, professional development could include formal instruction in methods to mitigate limited oral access, such as advanced patient communication skills, 50 and work-arounds that include modification of tools or procedures. 51,52 To further enrich the evidence base for application of oral care, ICU researchers could investigate prevalence and predictors of barriers to oral care, oral pain, theories of aversive oral behaviors, and patients' recollections.…”

Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Critical Care

“…Many nurses find oral hygiene difficult and sometimes even frustrating as they have the impression that oral health worsens despite all the efforts taken. 27 Nonetheless, most nurses are convinced that oral health is integrally linked with overall well-being and recognize the importance of thorough oral hygiene practices. 27,28 One of the pillars of oral care in intubated patients is the use of antiseptic mouthwashes, although the optimal frequency, contact time, and antiseptic concentrations have yet to be determined.…”

“…27 Nonetheless, most nurses are convinced that oral health is integrally linked with overall well-being and recognize the importance of thorough oral hygiene practices. 27,28 One of the pillars of oral care in intubated patients is the use of antiseptic mouthwashes, although the optimal frequency, contact time, and antiseptic concentrations have yet to be determined. 29 Another aspect of oral care is optimizing the patient's oral health status before ICU admission or intubation.…”

Effects of oral care provided with three different tools in patients receiving mechanical ventilation<p>Mekanik ventilatöre bağlı hastalarda üç farklı araçla verilen ağız bakımının etkisi

“…Mekanik ventilatöre bağlı hastalarda, ağız mukozasının bütünlüğünü sağlayabilmek, ağızda oluşabilecek plakları ortadan kaldırabilmek ve ağızda gelişebilecek sorunları önlemek amacıyla ağız bakımı verilir (Berry & Davidson 2006;Rello et al 2007). Mekanik ventilatöre bağlı hastalarda, düzenli ağız bakımı verilmesi ve ağız içinin günlük olarak değerlendirilmesi önemlidir.…”