Decontamination with chlorhexidine gluconate reduces the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a major source of nosocomical infection affecting about 27 percent of all critically ill patients. In this study, an attempt was made to assess the effect of oral decontamination with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution and hydrogen peroxide solution on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and oropharyngal colonisation. Seventy patients above 18 years of age admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi were included as subjects. It was concluded that incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia was higher in patients given oral care with hydrogen peroxide than those on 0.2% chlorhexidine, which was more effective in reducing orophyryngeal colonisation.