Authors

1. Swearer, Jillian Nichole BSN, RN, CCRN
2. Hammer, Ciara Lucinda BSN, RN, CCRN
3. Matthews, Susan Marie BSN, RN, CCRN
4. Meunier, Jennifer Lynn BSN, RN
5. Medler, Krisie Lee BSN, RN, CCRN
6. Kamer, Genevieve Stella BSN, RN, CCRN
7. Fiedler, Dana Marie BSN, RN
8. Johnston, Courtney Lynn BSN, RN
9. Schmitt, Kami Rebekah BSN, RN, CCRN
10. Sawyer, Angela Jane MSN, RN, CCRN

Abstract

Trauma patients are at increased risk for developing ventilator-associated pneumonia. Sixty adult trauma intensive care unit patients were audited 3 months prepractice change, and 30 were audited postpractice change. Quality improvement interventions included staff education of a redesigned electronic medical record ventilator bundle and chlorhexidine gluconate administration timing practice change. Postpractice change audits revealed 2-hour chlorhexidine gluconate documentation increased from 38.3% to 73.3% and incidence of pneumonia in intubated patients decreased by 62%. Early initiation of chlorhexidine gluconate mouth care utilizing electronic medical record technology may help reduce pneumonia in intubated patients, hospital length of stay, overall health costs, and improve documentation.