title: [Evaluating the existence of oral infection control in patients admitted in state hospitals in Rio de Janeiro].
abstract: The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether an oral infection control protocol is being used in Rio de Janeiro State hospitals. Sixty two hospitals, both public and private have been surveyed. When asked whether any procedure was being adopted with admitted patients (in case of ICU patients), 39% of the hospitals responded positively. Among all institutions surveyed, only 15% conduct a regular plaque control protocol in admitted patients. Studies have shown that there is an inter-relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, preterm births and low birthweight, diabetes and respiratory diseases. The oral cavity is considered a potent reservoir of respiratory pathogens. Based on these findings, it has become evident that oral hygiene is an important means of preventing a number of diseases. Thus the need arises not only to create an oral cavity infection control protocol that will contribute to reduce mortality in admitted patients but also to propose preventive measures towards this end.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Veiga de Almeida, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. skahn@openlink.com.br
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Carlos Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galan Júnior
authors.forename: Fátima Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Namen
authors.forename: Walter Augusto Soares
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Joel Alves
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: da Silva Júnior
authors.forename: Eleanor Mobley Scofield
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sardenberg
authors.forename: André Medina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Egreja
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D006783:Hospitals, State; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010343:Patient Admission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires