Toothbrushing prevents hospital pneumonia

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Brushing the teeth of patients -- even unconscious ones -- three times a day can reduce the onset of pneumonia by 50 percent in hospitals, Israeli nurses found.

Ofra Raanan, who works at the Sheba Academic School of Nursing at The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, collaborated with a team of nurses at major medical centers around Israel.

"Pneumonia is a big problem in hospitals everywhere, even in the developed world," Raanan said in a statement. "Patients who are intubated can be contaminated with pneumonia only two or three days after the tube is put in place. But pneumonia can be effectively prevented if the right measures are taken."

The researchers said it was difficult to quantify the effects precisely.

"While the research shows a definite improvement in reducing the incidence of hospital-borne pneumonia, it's hard to say by exactly how much toothbrushing prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia," Raanan added.

Raanan said nurses typically use a mechanical suction device to remove secretions from the mouth and throat, put patients in a seated position and change the position every few hours. Toothbrushing, should be added to the routine, the study said.

The findings are scheduled for publication in a nursing journal.