Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2008;8(1):37-44.
Oral care protocol for children under mechanical pulmonary ventilation
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793200800006
Abstract
The prevention of health care-associated infections must be a priority of nursing care provided to critically ill children to promote patient safety. The ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is related with higher rates of morbidity and mortality and the oropharyngeal colonization by pathogens is a risk factors. This study aimed to describe an oral care protocol to children submitted to mechanical ventilation that included scientific evidences produced by different areas of knowledge, in order to identify recommendations and the best practice to oral care of mechanically ventilated children. The equipments and oral gels selected are adequate to oral care in children of different ages. It is important to highlight that the application of protocols guided by objectives allowed nurses to introduce theory into practice, and an basic nursing intervention as oral care, adequately realized, supported by evidences and defined goals contribute to clinical excellence and safety of the children during critical care.