Bacteremia is one of the most frequent and challenging nosocomial infections, is responsible for an average increase in length of stay of 2 weeks and accounts for 3.5 billion dollars annually in medical costs. There is substantial evidence that bacteremia occurs in healthy populations with manipulation of the oral mucosa, such as toothbrushing; however, the relationship of oral care to bacteremia and the clinical significance of oral care-associated bacteremia in critically ill patients have not been explored. Oral care in the ICU has the potential to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Understanding the mechanism and clinical relevance of transient bacteremia of oral origin in the ICU is important in assessing the potential risks of oral care, minimizing systemic processes such as sepsis, and decreasing length of stay and mortality.
The specific aims of this study are to (1) describe the effect of toothbrushing on the incidence of transient bacteremia in critical care patients; (2) investigate the relationship of dental plaque score to the incidence of bacteremia, and (3) explore the significance of transient bacteremia in the ICU for clinical outcomes. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NR009596-02
Application #
7278732
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Huss, Karen
Project Start
2006-08-12
Project End
2007-12-11
Budget Start
2007-08-12
Budget End
2007-12-11
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$12,075
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
Jones, Deborah J; Munro, Cindy L; Grap, Mary Jo (2011) Natural history of dental plaque accumulation in mechanically ventilated adults: a descriptive correlational study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 27:299-304
Jones, Deborah J; Munro, Cindy L; Grap, Mary Jo et al. (2010) Oral care and bacteremia risk in mechanically ventilated adults. Heart Lung 39:S57-65
Jones, Deborah J; Munro, Cindy L (2008) Oral care and the risk of bloodstream infections in mechanically ventilated adults: A review. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 24:152-61