Ventilator bundles include oral care, but non-ventilated inpatients often get little. Older, frail or drowsy patients, and those with dysphagia, are at most risk of aspirating oral bacteria.
Tooth brushing or denture cleaning twice a day, with help for those who cannot do it themselves, is low cost and carries little risk.
- Ask whether a patient can clean their own teeth or dentures, and arrange help if not.
- Make sure toothbrush, paste and denture care are available at the bedside.
- Prioritise frail, drowsy and dysphagic patients for assisted oral care.
- Include oral care in ward infection-prevention audits.
Why it matters
Hospital pneumonia outside intensive care is common, under-counted and rarely targeted.
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