The Effect of a Systemic Oral Care Program on Reducing Exposure to Oropharyngeal Pathogens in Critically III Patients

Critically ill patients, especially those that require endotracheal intubation, have the greatest risk of any hospitalized patient for acquiring nosocomial pneumonia. Nosocomial pneumonia, in this population, produces a substantial increase of mortality and morbidity. The literature suggests the causative pathway is aspiration of oropharyngeal pathogens found in dental plaque. The build-up of dental plaque has been significantly associated with subsequent nosocomial respiratory infections. Thus, prevention of pathogens colonization in the oropharyngeal cavity could be an effective infection control measure. Dental plaque once it reaches a critical thickness, acts as a reservoir for both aerobic and anaerobic pathogens. Failure to remove plaque begins a complex cascade of biological activity by which pathogens adhere to mucosal and tooth surfaces and pathogen overgrowth ensues. Additionally, neglected or insufficient mouth care is the foremost predisposing factor to oral conditions such as gingivitis, mucositis, and stomatitis which supply additional ports of entry for pathogens. There are only a handful of studies that compare the frequency and type of oral hygiene required to prevent or decrease oropharyngeal colonization. A recent pilot study, 01-CC-0207, compared oral care provision in two intensive care units (ICU) in the Clinical Center. The test ICU offered meticulous oral hygiene through a system of regular oral assessments taught by a dentist and dental hygienist. The score from the assessment determined the type and frequency of oral care. The control ICU gave standard care typical of the ICU community. Plaque and saliva assays were collected from the enrolled patients. Significantly lower Beck scores and lower colony forming organisms in the specimens was achieved in the test ICU on day 3, p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.001 respectively. This protocol will expand the pilot into a prospective randomized assigned trial conducted at four hospitals in the Washington D.C. area. These hospitals have ICUs more representative of ICU's nation-wide. This study will test the effectiveness of a comprehensive and systematic oral care program to reduce the oral assessment scores, mucosal plaque scores, and the amount of pathogen inoculum present in the saliva and plaque. Intubated and non-intubated patients will be compared as well as meticulous care with or without the addition of the oral antiseptic, chlorhexidine. Consistency of practice performance will also be evaluated when nursing staff has dentist/hygienist instruction and monitoring versus the traditional nurse instruction.