Modest Reduction in Risk for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Critically ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation Following Topical Oral Chlorhexidine

Article Title and Bibliographic InformationChlorhexidine, toothbrushing, and preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adults.Munro CL, Grap MJ, Jones DJ, McClish DK, Sessler CN.Am J Crit Care 2009;18:428-37.ReviewersFrank A. Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, Catherine J. Binkley, DDS, MSPH, PhDPurpose/QuestionDoes mechanical (toothbrushing), topical oral chlorhexidine, and/or a combination of toothbrushing plus chlorhexidine reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation?Source of FundingNational Institutes of Health Grant R01 NR07652Type of Study/DesignRandomized controlled trialLevel of EvidenceLevel 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidenceStrength of Recommendation GradeGrade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence