Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Jun 2008
ReviewOral care and the risk of bloodstream infections in mechanically ventilated adults: A review.
Bacteraemia, defined as the presence of viable bacteria in the circulating blood can result in bloodstream infection, which is one of the most frequent and challenging hospital-acquired infections. Bacteraemia occurs in healthy populations with manipulation of the oral mucosa, including toothbrushing. Oral care is commonly administered to mechanically ventilated patients, it is important to determine whether this practice contributes to the incidence of bacteraemia. This paper reviews the literature on the link between the manipulation of the oral cavity and the development of bacteraemia in mechanically ventilated adults. ⋯ Additional research is needed to understand the relationship of oral care practices to bacteraemia in mechanically ventilated adults.