Biography
Biography: Rafaelly Stavale
Abstract
Introduction: Oral care is an elementary nursing intervention for prevention of infections, for instance, Ventilator Asssociated Pneumonia. Despite of it relevance, cronic patients often have their oral condition neglected by health care profissionals.
Aim: To evaluate the aplicability of Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) for oral health maintenance, promotion and restoration at an Intesive Care Unit (ICU) for patients not under oral diet at a private hospital of Brasília.
Methods: An observational study was conducted from March 18th till April 1st, 2014. Eligibility criteria consited of patients at the ICU service under enteral diet with sepsis. Participants information regarding ICU arrival date, vital signs, undertaken medication, age, disease history were colected. Examination of external and internal oral features were performed in order to monitor patients mouth condition and to identify abnormalities.Clinical examination of oral cavity followed MOUTH acronym order (Mucous membranes, Oral hygiene, Ulcerations, Type of ventilation, Humidity).
Results: Of eighteen participants screened, five were eligible.Clinical examination of external oral region acknoledged lip epithelial peeling (1/5);tongue adhered to inferior lip due to dryness (2/5). Oral cavity evaluation identified organic deposit on the tongue (4/5),dehydration (3/5),tongue lesion due to trauma with eschar (1/5). Type of ventilation consisted of nasal prongs (2/5),tracheostomy (1/5),endotracheal tube (2/5).
Conclusion: Our results showed neglected care to oral hygiene, moisten lips and oral mucosa against recommendatons of NIC.We highlight the need of nursing capacitation regarding oral care at ICU. More studies should be conducted to evaluate it.