ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of oral care using hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate to prevent neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP). Methods Totally 209 neonates were recruited and divided into the experimental group with 104 cases and the control group with 105 cases by using random number table method. Based on conventional mechanical ventilation nursing,the experimental group received oral care using 1.5%hydrogen peroxide combined with 2.5% sodium bicarbonate,Q8H,while the control group received oral care using only 2.5% sodium bicarbonate,Q8H. Positive results of bacteria detection in tracheal sputum culture,the incidence rate of VAP,mechanical ventilation time,hospitalization time and hospitalization costs were compared between two groups. Results After 48 hours of mechanical ventilation,the difference in positive results of bacteria detection in tracheal sputum culture between two groups was statistically significant(P0.05) when the duration of the mechanical ventilation was 48 hours. While after 48 hours of the mechanical ventilation,the difference of the incidence rate of VAP between two groups was statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion The combined usage of hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate for oral care can effectively eliminate neonatal oral bacteria colonization and prevent neonatal VAP,so as to reduce the time of mechanical ventilation and hospitaliza-tion, and decrease hospitalization costs.