Use of Chlorhexidine to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in a Long-term Care Setting

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of the oral decontamination solution chlorhexidine (CHX) to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a long-term ventilator care setting over time. Most of the research in this area has been conducted in acute and intensive care settings. METHODS: This study was a retrospective medical record review conducted in a long-term care facility with a dedicated ventilator unit. Veterans records (N = 12) were accessed for this study. The study covered 50 months, with a 43-month time period during which CHX was administered. RESULTS: While the sample size was small, many of the veterans on ventilators used CHX for years without an incident of VAP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support using CHX to significantly reduce the number of days of intravenous antibiotics used to treat VAP with little side effects.