Cuidados na higiene bucal em pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva

Abstract

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a specialized sector to meet the needs of critically ill patients who require continuous observation and care of a specializing multidisciplinary team Among the many health problems, patients admitted to an ICU can provide inadequate oral hygiene, once staying with their mouths open, often due to tracheal intubation, or decreased muscle tone and withdrawal of prosthetics which leads to dehydration of the oral mucus membrane. This studies identify the available evidences in the literature about the care and recommendations for performing oral hygiene of adult patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units. This is an integrative review in databases LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE and SCIELO in the period from 2002 to 2012. The show that the inclusion of a dental surgeon in the multidisciplinary team can bring benefits in the prevention and conduction of periodontal infections. In specific care related to the performance of oral hygiene, studies have highlighted the importance of simple brushing as a secure and suitable method for removing bacterial plates. The studies did not show a solution more effective than others to be used in oral hygiene for ICU patients, and pointed out the importance of using protocols to improve the frequency of this procedure. Like any other critically ill patient, the one admitted in an Intensive Care Unit might have his critical condition minimized with appropriate conducts of bucal hygiene and elimination of gaps between ideal and real assistance.