MEKANİK VENTİLATÖR DESTEĞİNDEKİ HASTALARA İKİ FARKLI YÖNTEMLE VERİLEN AĞIZ BAKIMININ ORAL MUKOZADAKİ BAKTERİYEL KOLONİZASYON VE AĞIZ SAĞLIĞI ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine oral care given to the patients on mechanical ventilatory support by two different methods on bacterial colonization and oral health. Methods: This study had a design including an experimental and a control group. Sample was composed of 30 patients who had mechanical ventilatory support less than 24 hours. Patients in the experimental group were applied toothbrush and serum physiological; and control group was applied oral care by abeslang and a sponge soaked with NaHCO3. Both groups were given oral care four times a day for four days. Oral health was evaluated by “oral assessment scale”, and bacterial colonization was assessed based on bacteriological culture results of samples taken by cotton swab at days 1 and 4. Results: It was found that almost half of the patients in both groups had insufficient saliva that was more viscous than normal; and dental plaques were decreased among the patients in the experimental group. In terms of bacteria in the oral mucosa, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups based on the comparison of culture results from days 1 and 4. It was found that both methods used for oral care were effective; and they had no superiority over each other. Conclusions: It was concluded that application of regular oral care for the patients on mechanical ventilatory support as part of care protocols decreased bacterial colonization and had a protective and improving effect on oral health.