Evaluation of oral hygiene techniques in intensive care units (icus) of macroregional health in the midwest of the state of santa catarina and protocol suggestion

Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have weakened general health and immunity, becoming more susceptible to systemic and infectious diseases, which especially compromise the cardiac and respiratory systems. These complications can modify the initial clinical picture of health leading to the risk of death. The origin and metastatic effect of these infections can originate from the primary infection of the oral cavity. The present study is an observational cross-sectional analytical research and aims to suggest an Oral Hygiene (OH) protocol for hospitalized patients and to emphasize the importance of the insertion of the Dental Surgeon (DS) in the hospital environment. The OH protocol was developed by applying and evaluating a questionnaire and by reviewing the scientific literature on the topic. For the delimitation of the sample, the macroregional Health of the Midwest of Santa Catarina was selected (adult / specialized ICU), which comprises Joaçaba-SC. The research instrument consisted of 99 nurses and nursing technicians who performed oral hygiene in ICUs and the data analysis performed by the software program SPSS 22 and Chi-Squared Test. The results demonstrated the lack of standardization in the execution of oral hygiene, with no specific protocol in these hospitals. Chlorhexidine was standard as an auxiliary method of OH in these ICUs. The performance of the DS was minimal or nonexistent, demonstrating the need for multidisciplinary performance in hospital dentistry. In order to improve care and improve the quality of life of these ICU patients, the protocol will be made available to all participating hospitals.