Mouth Care on Intubated Patients

Summary

This video demonstrates the proper technique for performing mouth care on a patient with an artificial airway, such as an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube, to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The process includes routine mouth care every 2 hours, using swabs and suction to clean the mouth, teeth, and around the airway tube, followed by moisturizing the lips. Brushing the teeth every 12 hours with chlorhexidine is also emphasized. Proper documentation and communication with the patient's nurse are essential to ensure consistent oral hygiene and prevent complications in critically ill patients on ventilators.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mouth care for patients with artificial airways (endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes) is crucial to prevent harmful bacteria buildup and pneumonia.
• 😀 Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious risk if mouth care is not performed regularly in ICU patients with artificial airways.
• 😀 Mouth care should be done every 2 hours to reduce the risk of VAP and improve patient outcomes.
• 😀 Always check with the patient's nurse before performing mouth care to ensure it is safe and appropriate for the patient.
• 😀 Proper hand hygiene and wearing gloves are essential before beginning any mouth care procedure.
• 😀 Ensure all necessary supplies are gathered before starting mouth care, including suction equipment and a towel or washcloth.
• 😀 The green swab portion of the mouth care kit is used for routine mouth care every 2 hours, while the toothbrush is used every 12 hours.
• 😀 Suctioning is a critical step during mouth care to remove mucus and debris from the patient's mouth and airway.
• 😀 Apply a small amount of mouth moisturizer and lip balm after mouth care to keep the patient comfortable and prevent dryness.
• 😀 Teeth brushing should be performed during the initial shift assessment and 2 hours after intubation, following the same suctioning and cleaning steps.
• 😀 Date and time each mouth care kit to ensure proper documentation and timely follow-up every 2 hours.

Q & A

Why is mouth care important for patients with an artificial airway?

Mouth care is crucial for patients with an artificial airway, such as those with an endotrachial tube or tracheostomy, because bacteria in the mouth can mix with saliva and travel down the airway, potentially causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which can be deadly for critically ill patients.

How often should mouth care be performed for these patients?

Mouth care should be performed every 2 hours to help reduce harmful bacteria and prevent complications like pneumonia.

What is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of pneumonia that occurs in patients who are on mechanical ventilation, often caused by bacteria from the mouth entering the lungs.

What is the first step in performing mouth care on a patient with an artificial airway?

The first step is to check with the patient's nurse to ensure it is the right time to perform mouth care on the patient.

What supplies are necessary for mouth care?

Necessary supplies include a mouth care kit (with green swabs), suction tubing, suction canister, mouth moisturizer, and lip balm. It's also recommended to have a towel or washcloth to place under the patient’s chin if there are many secretions.

How do you properly use the green swab for mouth care?

The green swab is dipped in mouth cleanser and attached to the suction tubing. It is then used to gently swab the patient’s teeth, tongue, and around the endotrachial tube, using a clockwise rotation to remove mucus and debris.

Why is suctioning necessary during mouth care?

Suctioning is necessary to remove any mucus or excess fluids that accumulate in the mouth, preventing them from being swallowed or aspirated into the lungs.

When should you use the toothbrush portion of the mouth care kit?

The toothbrush portion of the mouth care kit is used every 12 hours for a more thorough cleaning of the patient’s teeth, while the green swabs are used every 2 hours for routine mouth care.

How long should teeth brushing last for patients with artificial airways?

Teeth brushing should last 1 to 2 minutes to ensure thorough cleaning, just like how one would brush teeth at home.

How do you ensure mouth care is done consistently every 2 hours?

Mouth care kits should be dated and timed to help track when the next care is needed. If the caregiver forgets, the nurse will ensure that mouth care is performed and documented every 2 hours.