Effects of Oral Care on the Rate of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
Advisor(s)
Jamie Hunsicker
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem: Mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have an increased risk of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). VAP is the leading cause of mortality in ventilated patients. It increases healthcare costs by thousands of dollars and increases a patient's length of stay in the hospital by at least a few days.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to identify if performing proper oral care on mechanically ventilated patients in the hospital will decrease the rate of VAP.
Methods: A pre-intervention and post-intervention with a retrospective chart review design will be conducted on a 16 bed Intensive Care Unit. VAP rates will be recorded for 6 months prior to and 6 months following implementation of a strict oral care protocol. Strict oral care protocol will include brushing the patient’s teeth, rinsing their mouth with mouthwash, and suctioning any secretions. VAP rates for 6 months, adherence to the new protocol, and nurse perceptions of the new protocol will be measured post-implementation.
Conclusion: Oral care decreases the rate of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients and it can be easily implemented in all ICUs. Oral care not only decreases the prevalence of VAP, but also decreases healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality rates in patients, and length of stay.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Haley M., "Effects of Oral Care on the Rate of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 44.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/44
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Effects of Oral Care on the Rate of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem: Mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have an increased risk of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). VAP is the leading cause of mortality in ventilated patients. It increases healthcare costs by thousands of dollars and increases a patient's length of stay in the hospital by at least a few days.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to identify if performing proper oral care on mechanically ventilated patients in the hospital will decrease the rate of VAP.
Methods: A pre-intervention and post-intervention with a retrospective chart review design will be conducted on a 16 bed Intensive Care Unit. VAP rates will be recorded for 6 months prior to and 6 months following implementation of a strict oral care protocol. Strict oral care protocol will include brushing the patient’s teeth, rinsing their mouth with mouthwash, and suctioning any secretions. VAP rates for 6 months, adherence to the new protocol, and nurse perceptions of the new protocol will be measured post-implementation.
Conclusion: Oral care decreases the rate of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients and it can be easily implemented in all ICUs. Oral care not only decreases the prevalence of VAP, but also decreases healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality rates in patients, and length of stay.