The Effect of an Suction Toothbrush on the Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Inclusion Criteria: Patients * who aged over 18 years * who underwent orotracheal intubation after admission to the ICU, * who had no known pneumonia or diagnosis of pneumonia at the time of intubation, * who were intubated for more than 48 hours, * who had no microorganisms detected in the tracheal aspirate within the first 48 hours, * who had no lesions on the oral mucous membrane before intubation, * who had no known allergy to chlorhexidine were included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: Patients * who under 18 years of age, * those with a tracheostomy, * those were intubated for less than 48 hours, * those with microorganisms detected in their tracheal aspirate within the first 48 hours, * those who underwent reintubation, * those were pregnant, * those with lesions in the oral mucosa during intensive care admission, * those with bleeding coagulation disorders or thrombocytopenia, * those admitted to intensive care from an external institution while intubated, and those with a known chlorhexidine allergy were excluded from the study.