Oral Care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Essay -- Preventing Ventila

In clinical experience, it is seen that many patients in the Intensive accusation Unit (ICU) are on mechanical spreading. These patients range from having head trauma, intent surgery and respiratory problems just there is no clear, concise dictatorial standard oral interest procedures noted on the different floors in the hospital. Oral fearfulness is a basic nursing care drill that can provide relief, comfort and prevention of microbial growth yet is given low priority when compared to other critical practices in critically ill patients. The Center for Disease Control reveals that Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the second most rough-cut nosocomial infection that affects approximately 27% of critically ill patients (Koeman, caravan der Ven & Hak, 2006). The purpose of this paper is to explore Lewins change theory in the clinical setting by implementing standard oral care on preventing VAP thereby improving patient care. According to the American Association of sle nder safeguard Nurses, Ventilator-associated Pneumonia results in high mortality rates, increases the number of mechanical ventilation days, increases the number of additional days in the hospital and critical care by 4-9days and costs approximately $40,000 per VAP case (Ames, Sulima, Yates, McCullagh, Gollins, Soeken, Wallen, 2011). Munro, Grap, Jones and McClish & Sessler conducted a study in 2009 which collected data on oral interventions reported by nurses, the frequency and the documentation and plunge that despite the evidence that sponge toothettes are unproductive in plaque removal it remained the primary tool for oral care in intubated patients whereas the use of toothbrushes were used more in non-intubated patients. It was also found that nurses reported frequent oral care, y... ...J., McCurren, C., Carrico, R. (2004) Factors Affecting Quality of Oral Care in Intensive Care Units. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(5), 454-462.Institure for Healthcare return (2011). Impl ement the IHI Ventilator Bundle. Retrieved from http//www.ihi.org/knowledge/pages/changes/implementtheventilatorbundle.aspx. Koeman, M., Van der Ven, A., Hak, E. (2006). Oral Decontamination with Chlorhexidine Reduces the Incidence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 173, 1348-1355. Munro, C.L., Grap, M.J., Jones, D.J., McClish, D.K, Sessler, C.N. (2009). Chlorhexidine, toothbrushing and preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in critically Ill Patients. American Journal of Critical Care, 18(5), 428-437. Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2010). Leading and managing in nursing. Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc.