Cuidado bucal en pacientes en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de un hospital público en la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The oral health of patients in the Intensive Care Unit often deteriorates the overall infection rate can reach 50-60% of patients who are hospitalized for more than five days. That is why the nursing staff has a special responsibility in the maintenance of oral hygiene and prevention of oral disorders. OBJECTIVE: To establish the protocol of oral care offered to patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by the nursing staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative-quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive, observational study. The sample consisted of 72 graduates and nursing assistants, with a descriptive design. RESULTS: It was determined that 94.44% of the nursing staff strongly agree with the priority of oral health care, 76.39% agree with receiving more information on oral health care and 97.22% agree with the need to attend training workshops. CONCLUSION: The results show the need for information and training on how best to provide professional oral hygiene care by nurses in the ICU service.