Authors

  1. McCue, Margaret K. MSN, RN, CNL
  2. Palmer, Glen A. PhD

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of the oral decontamination solution chlorhexidine (CHX) to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a long-term ventilator care setting over time. Most of the research in this area has been conducted in acute and intensive care settings.

 

Methods: This study was a retrospective medical record review conducted in a long-term care facility with a dedicated ventilator unit. Veterans records (N = 12) were accessed for this study. The study covered 50 months, with a 43-month time period during which CHX was administered.

 

Results: While the sample size was small, many of the veterans on ventilators used CHX for years without an incident of VAP.

 

Conclusions: These findings support using CHX to significantly reduce the number of days of intravenous antibiotics used to treat VAP with little side effects.