Oral care for intubated patients in the intensive care unit: examination of bacterial count and microbiota
Authors' conclusion
This study demonstrates that oral care effectively reduces bacterial counts in ICU patients, both pre- and post-extubation.
Study context
- Population
- Intubated intensive care unit (ICU) patients
- Participants
- 15 patients
- Exposure
- Before vs after oral care, pre- and post-extubation
- Outcome
- Oral bacterial counts (tongue swab, bacterial counter)
- Follow-up
- Before and after oral care, both pre- and post-extubation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Oral bacterial counts
- Oral bacterial counts significantly decreased after oral care at both pre- and post-extubation time points
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Oral microbiome alpha diversity (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) · pre- vs post-extubation
- Significant differences in alpha diversity pre- vs post-extubation; post-extubation samples less diverse
Original publication
Oral care for intubated patients in the intensive care unit: examination of bacterial count and microbiota. Crit Care. Published 23 July 2025. doi:10.
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