Oral care for patients in intensive care units- A narrative review

Due to the patient's presenting condition and medical care, maintaining a healthy upper airway in an ICU patient might be difficult. Ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). The majority of these individuals are unable to execute even the most basic tasks, such as maintaining their own oral hygiene. Oral difficulties may arise as a result of the medical treatment delivered in an Intensive care unit (ICU). Oral care can have an impact on a patient's clinical outcome as well as their overall health. Oral and systemic health, mechanically ventilated patients, barriers to oral health care, published recommendations, and oral care procedure in ventilated patients are all discussed in this article.
 

Keywords: Oral hygiene, Mechanical ventilation, Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), Oral care protocol, Oral care barriers.