Why it’s time to abandon antiseptic mouthwashes

Effect of different mouthwashes on ventilator-related outcomes and mortality in intensive care unit patients: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common and life-threatening complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence. Various mouthwash solutions are used for oral care in ICU settings, but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This study aims to systematically evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of commonly used mouthwashes for oral care in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing saline, chlorhexidine, sodium bicarbonate, oxidising agents, herbal extracts, and povidone-iodine for oral care in ventilated ICU patients. Outcomes included ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence, ICU mortality, duration of ventilation, and Escherichia coli fixed value. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to synthesise direct and indirect evidence. This study is registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols, 2023120028.

RESULTS

FourteenRCTs with 1644 participants were included. Oxidising agents showed a trend towards reducing the incidence of VAP compared to the control group (risk ratio: 0.24, 95% confidence interval: 0.05-1.10). Administration of saline was associated with a notable reduction in ICU mortality (risk ratio: 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.88) versus no mouthwash. No significant differences were observed in the duration of mechanical ventilation between chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Antimicrobial mouthwashes, especially chlorhexidine, pose potential risks in ICU patients; oxidising solutions demonstrate relative safety. Saline solution emerges as a promising alternative, associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates. However, the need for large, high-quality RCTs remains paramount to substantiate these findings and establish evidence-based oral-care protocols in ICU settings.

REGISTRATION

This study is registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols, 2023120028.

Skin injury: Associations with variables related to perfusion and pressure

Skin injuries are a major healthcare problem that are not well understood or prevented in the critically ill, suggesting that underappreciated variables are contributing. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that perfusion-related factors contribute to skin injuries diagnosed as hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). A total of 533 adult patients were followed over 2574 critical care days (mean age 62.4, standard deviation (SD) 14.3 years, mean body mass index 30.4 (SD 7.4) kg/m2, 36.4% female). This was a secondary analysis of prospective, non-randomised clinical data from an intensive care unit at a large urban teaching hospital. Factors related to perfusion, specifically two or more infusions of vasopressors/inotropes, temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and durable MCS, were analysed to determine whether they were more strongly associated with HAPIs than immobility due to prolonged mechanical ventilation (>72 h) or operating room time (>6 h). Patients diagnosed with a HAPI had a statistically significant higher risk of being exposed to variables related to perfusion and immobility (P < 0.05 for each variable). Perfusion-related variables, except durable MCS, had a larger effect on skin breakdown (number needed to harm (NNH) 4-10) than immobility-associated variables (NNH 12-17). The finding that perfusion-related variables predicted HAPIs may warrant consideration of alternative diagnoses, such as skin failure due to impaired perfusion as a pathophysiological process that occurs concurrently with multisystem organ failure. Differentiation of skin injuries primarily from circulatory malfunction, rather than external pressure, may guide the development of more effective treatment and prevention protocols. This pilot study suggests that the contribution of perfusion to skin injuries should be explored further.

A scoping review to map the implications of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheter practices in mechanically ventilated patients

INTRODUCTION

Currently there is limited evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suctioning catheters. Due to limited resources, many low- and middle-income countries still reuse single-use suction catheters multiple times during the length of a nursing shift. This scoping review was conducted to map the impact of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheters practices on mechanically ventilated patients' outcomes.

METHODS

The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Four databases systematically searched using predefined keywords (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, GLOBAL HEALTH). Key electronic journals were hand searched, while reference lists of included documents and grey literature sources were screened thoroughly. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection and data extraction. A third reviewer made the final decision on any disagreements disputed records.

RESULTS

In total 22 articles were identified, and 14 non-duplicate records were screened, and 8 articles were screened for full text. Six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Differences were observed on the findings of included studies, two studies identified that reusing single-use suction catheter might increases the risk of respiratory infection, while two other studies identified no difference in contamination rate between single used or multiple-used catheters. One study indicated that reusing single-use catheters are a safe and cost-effective intervention and finally one study reported that reusing single-use catheters might reduce incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia if flushed with chlorhexidine after suctioning.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no strong evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suction catheters. Further research is needed comparing single-used versus multiple-used endotracheal suction catheters in mechanically ventilated patients.

IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses in resource-limited countries can follow their hospital policy regarding the changing frequency of endotracheal suction catheters due to lack of a robust evidence. Flushing suction circuits with chlorhexidine while reusing single-use catheters might reduce the risk of respiratory infections in these hospitals.

Effects of preoperative oral care on bacterial colonisation and halitosis in patients undergoing elective surgery: A randomised controlled study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of single-dose chlorhexidine oral care on bacterial colonisation and halitosis in patients undergoing elective surgery.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

We conducted a two-arm parallel, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The intervention group (n = 102) received preoperative oral care with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, and the control group (n = 105) received standard care. The data of the microbiological cultures between the groups were compared at the time of tracheal intubation, at extubation and 30 min after surgery. The presence of halitosis was measured using a survey questionnaire administered to the anaesthesia nurses assigned to the patients.

RESULTS

At baseline, no significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups for bacterial colonisation or halitosis. After the intervention, there was no significant difference in microbiological culture, including gram-positive, gram-negative bacilli and cocci results, between the two groups (p > 0.05). The presence of halitosis in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group during intubation (p < 0.0001) and at 30 min after surgery (p < 0.02). Regression analysis indicated that receiving oral was protective towards halitosis, while poor oral health was a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative oral care using a single dose of chlorhexidine significantly improved the patients' halitosis in the perioperative period, but no significant effect was found on bacterial colonisation. Further studies are needed regarding the safe use of chlorhexidine for oral care.

IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Oral hygiene using chlorhexidine could be beneficial in improving halitosis for anaesthesia personnel who take care of intubated adult patients undergoing elective surgery with general anaesthesia.

Suction circuit flushing with chlorhexidine decreases ventilator-associated pneumonia: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Endotracheal suctioning of mechanically ventilated patients differs across the world. In many low and middle-income countries, endotracheal suctioning is often performed with a sterile suctioning catheter that is used for 12 h or during the length of one nursing shift. The effect of flushing multiple used endotracheal suction system with chlorhexidine after suctioning to reduce ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) remains unclear.

Aim

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of flushing multiple-used open endotracheal suction catheters and suctioning system with chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% to reduce VAP in mechanically ventilated patients in a resource-limited Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Methods

Due to the difficulty of blinding the intervention for nurses who perform endo-tracheal suction procedures, we adopted a quasi-experimental method with a randomized controlled trial design. A sample of 136 ICU patients were allocated to the intervention (n = 68) or control group (n = 68) between May and November 2020. The intervention was flushing the multiple-used suction catheter and suction system with 40ml chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% and in the control group we used normal saline to flush the catheter and suction system. The primary outcome was incidence of VAP and the cost of the flushing solutions was the secondary outcome measure.

Results

Patients in the intervention group had a lower incidence of VAP compared to patients in the control group; 15 (22.1%) vs 29 (42.6%), p = 0.01. The incidence of late-onset VAP was 26.2% in the intervention group and 49% in the control group (p = 0.026) and the early-onset VAP was 13.2% in the intervention group and 25% in the control group (p = 0.081). Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% reduced the cost of suction system flushing (median: 78.4 vs 300 EGP, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Using chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% to flush multiple-used suctioning catheters after every endo-tracheal suction procedure might reduce the incidence of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% can be a cost-effective solution for flushing the suction circuit. Nurses working in resource-limited ICUs and using suctioning catheters multiple times might consider using chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% instead of normal saline or distilled water when flushing the suction system.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05206721.

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia through care bundles: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) represents a common hospital-acquired infection among mechanically ventilated patients. We summarized evidence concerning ventilator care bundles to prevent VAP.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Randomized controlled trials and controlled observational studies of adults undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) for at least 48 h were considered for inclusion. Outcomes of interest were the number of VAP episodes, duration of MV, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and mortality. A systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science between 1985 and 2022. Results are reported as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022341780.

Results

Thirty-six studies including 116,873 MV participants met the inclusion criteria. A total of 84,031 participants underwent care bundles for VAP prevention. The most reported component of the ventilator bundle was head-of-bed elevation (n=83,146), followed by oral care (n=80,787). A reduction in the number of VAP episodes was observed among those receiving ventilator care bundles, compared with the non-care bundle group (OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.54). Additionally, the implementation of care bundles decreased the duration of MV (MD=-0.59, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.15) and hospital length of stay (MD=-1.24, 95% CI: -2.30, -0.18) in studies where educational activities were part of the bundle. Data regarding mortality were inconclusive.

Conclusions

The implementation of ventilator care bundles reduced the number of VAP episodes and the duration of MV in adult ICUs. Their application in combination with educational activities seemed to improve clinical outcomes.

Effect of an educational intervention on compliance with care bundle items to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of our ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle implemented by education of the nursing staff, and to describe the tendency of knowledge retention.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A prospective, before-and-after study was performed. The ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle was implemented through a single educational intervention of the nursing staff. The risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia over time was estimated using a Cox proportional cause-specific hazard model. Compliance to preventive measures was assessed at three time-points: before education, at three months and 12 months after education.

SETTING

A 29-bed mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Ventilator-associate pneumonia incidence densities, the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and compliance to preventive measures in the pre-implementation and post-implementation periods.

RESULTS

We analyzed the data of 251 patients. The incidence density of pneumonia decreased from 29.3/1000 to 15.3/1000 ventilator-days after the implementation of the prevention program. Patients in the post-implementation period had significantly lower risk to develop pneumonia (hazard ratio 0.34, 95 % confidence interval 0.19-0.61, p = 0.001). At 3 months of implementation, a significant improvement was detected to all the individual bundle components. Complete compliance increased from 16.2 % to 62.2 % (p < 0.001). Compliance with bundle components decreased to baseline levels after 12 months of implementation apart from head-of-bed elevation.

CONCLUSION

This study supports existing evidence that educational interventions improve compliance. The gained knowledge was well translated into clinical practice reflected by the decreasing ventilator-associated pneumonia rate. It may be assumed that a refresher educational session within 12 months after implementation is needed.

Effect of menthol lozenges after extubation on thirst, nausea, physiological parameters, and comfort in cardiovascular surgery patients: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of post-extubation oral menthol lozenges on thirst, nausea, physiological parameters, and comfort level in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

The study was a single-centre, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

This study included 119 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a training and research hospital. Patients in the intervention group (n = 59) received menthol lozenges at 30, 60, and 90 min after extubation. Patients in the control group (n = 60) received standard care and treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome of the study was the change in post-extubation thirst assessed by Visual Analogue Scale after using menthol lozenges compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were changes in post-extubation physiological parameters and nausea severity assessed by Visual Analogue Scale compared to baseline, and comfort level assessed with Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Between-group comparisons showed that the intervention group had significantly lower thirst scores at all time points and nausea at the first assessment (p < 0.05) and significantly higher comfort scores (p < 0.05) than the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups in physiological parameters at baseline or any of the postoperative assessments (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, the use of menthol lozenges effectively increased comfort level by reducing post-extubation thirst and nausea, but had no effect on physiological parameters.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses should be vigilant for complaints such as thirst, nausea, and discomfort in patients after extubation. Nurses' administration of menthol lozenges to patients may help reduce post-extubation thirst, nausea, and discomfort.

Multifaceted interventions are likely to be more effective to increase adherence to the ventilator care bundle: A systematic review of strategies to improve care bundle compliance

BACKGROUND

The implementation of ventilator care bundles has remained suboptimal. However, it is unclear whether improving adherence has a positive relationship with patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the most effective implementation strategies to improve adherence to ventilator bundles and to investigate the relationship between adherence to ventilator bundles and patient outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search from the inception of ventilator care bundles 2001 to January 2021 of relevant databases, screening and data extraction according to Cochrane methodology.

RESULTS

In total, 6035 records were screened, and 24 studies met the eligibility criteria. The implementation strategies were provider-level interventions (n = 15), included educational activities, checklist, and audit/feedback. Organizational-level interventions include (n = 8) included change of medical record system and multidisciplinary team. System-level intervention (n = 1) had motivation and reward. The most common strategies were education, checklists, audit feedback, which are probably effective in improving adherence. We could not perform a meta-analysis due to heterogeneity of the strategies and types of adherence measurement. Most studies (n = 7) had a high risk of bias. There were some conflicting results in determining the associations between adherence and patient outcomes because of the poor quality of the studies.

CONCLUSION

Multifaceted interventions are likely to be effective for consistent improvement in adherence. It remains uncertain whether improvements in adherence have positive outcomes on patients due to limited evidence of low to moderate uncertainty. We recommend the need for robust research methodology to assess the effectiveness of implementation strategies on improving adherence and patient outcomes.

Oral care in intensive care units: Lithuanian nurses' attitudes and practices

AIM

This study examines the attitudes and practices of ICU nurses towards the provision of oral care to their patients.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted this cross-sectional survey about oral health care practices in ICUs in Lithuania.

METHODS

We used a self-administered 20-item questionnaire to survey the current oral care practices, training, and attitudes of 108 nurses. The questionnaire was based on previous studies to gather information related to the attitudes, oral care practices, and training of ICU nurses. We used the chi-square test to analyze relationships between the categorical variables.

RESULTS

Most (88, 82%) of the nurses stated that oral care is important. Although most (83, 77%) had adequate training, a clear majority (98, 91%) of the nurses reported a willingness to learn more. Most (78, 72%) of the nurses found the oral cavity difficult to clean, and (71, 66%) found doing so unpleasant. When performing oral care, the nurses used mostly foam swabs (62, 61%) and moisturizers (54, 53%). More than half (57, 57%) of the nurses expressed a need for more hospital support.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses working in ICUs reported that oral care is a high priority for their patients, but a difficult and unpleasant task. Nurses provided oral care mainly with toothbrushes, foam swabs, and moisturizers.