Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia developing in people who have received mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.VAP is a potentially serious complication in these patients who are already critically ill. Oral hygiene care (OHC), using either a mouth rinse, gel, swab, toothbrush, or combination, together with the suction of secretions, may reduce the risk of VAP in these patients. 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.Previous studies reported that the aspiration of oropharyngeal organisms in patients with tracheal intubations plays a major role in the development of VAP.
Chlorhexidine is a topical antibiotic oral rinse with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, which has shown efficacy in some, but not all, studies for VAP prevention. These studies have found significant reductions in nosocomial infection rates, the incidence of pneumonia, and significantly fewer gram-negative organisms from the use of chlorhexidine 0.12% solution.
It should be noted that there was no difference in secondary outcomes including duration of mechanical ventilation, in-hospital mortality, ICU, and hospital length of stay.
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