Effect of Oral Decontamination Using Chlorhexidine or Potassium Permanganate in ICU Patients

Summary

Oropharyngeal bacteria play an important role in the pathogenesis of nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. Oral cleansing with chlorhexidine has been shown to decrease incidence of pneumonia in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Its role in critically ill general ICU patients is not yet proven. The present study proposes to study the effectiveness of twice-daily oral cleansing with 0.2% chlorhexidine solution on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in ICU patients admitted to a single intensive care unit of an Indian public hospital

Timeline

Start

2004-05

Primary completion

2007-10

Completion

2007-12

Publications

• Background Abele-Horn M, Dauber A, Bauernfeind A, Russwurm W, Seyfarth-Metzger I, Gleich P, Ruckdeschel G. Decrease in nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated patients by selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD). Intensive Care Med. 1997 Feb;23(2):187-95. doi: 10.1007/s001340050314.
• Background DeRiso AJ 2nd, Ladowski JS, Dillon TA, Justice JW, Peterson AC. Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse reduces the incidence of total nosocomial respiratory infection and nonprophylactic systemic antibiotic use in patients undergoing heart surgery. Chest. 1996 Jun;109(6):1556-61. doi: 10.1378/chest.109.6.1556.
• Background Fourrier F, Cau-Pottier E, Boutigny H, Roussel-Delvallez M, Jourdain M, Chopin C. Effects of dental plaque antiseptic decontamination on bacterial colonization and nosocomial infections in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Med. 2000 Sep;26(9):1239-47. doi: 10.1007/s001340000585.
• Background Francis JR, Hunter B, Addy M. A comparison of three delivery methods of chlorhexidine in handicapped children. I. Effects on plaque, gingivitis, and toothstaining. J Periodontol. 1987 Jul;58(7):451-5. doi: 10.1902/jop.1987.58.7.451.

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Indications