Oral care supplemented antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, may reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia more than oral care without antiseptics, according to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
For this study, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of multiple published studies. Ultimately, 14 studies were assessed, including 12 that investigated the impact of chlorhexidine and two that investigated the impact of povidone-iodine. The researchers concluded use of chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine during oral care reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia; however, chlorhexidine was found to maintain impact after subgroup analyses.
For this study, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of multiple published studies. Ultimately, 14 studies were assessed, including 12 that investigated the impact of chlorhexidine and two that investigated the impact of povidone-iodine. The researchers concluded use of chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine during oral care reduced the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia; however, chlorhexidine was found to maintain impact after subgroup analyses.
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