Multisite Evaluation of Toothbrushes and Microbial Growth in the Hospital Setting. Issue 2 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DeJuilio, Patti; Powers, Jan; Soltis, Lisa M.; Brooks, Jo Ann
• Is Part Of: Clinical nurse specialist. Volume 37:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: hospital-acquired infections -- nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia -- oral care; Nurse practitioners -- United States -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Practice -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000733
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6274

Abstract

Abstract : Design: This observational, descriptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence of microbial growth on toothbrushes found in hospital patient rooms. Methods: Toothbrush sampling was conducted in 136 acute care hospitals and medical centers from November 2018 through February 2022. Inclusion criteria for the units and patient rooms sampled were as follows: general adult medical-surgical units or critical care units; rooms occupied by adults 18 years or older who were capable of (1) mobilizing to the bathroom; (2) using a standard manual, bristled toothbrush; and (3) room did not have signage indicating isolation procedures. Results: A total of 5340 patient rooms were surveyed. Of the rooms included, 46% (2455) of patients did not have a toothbrush available or had not used a toothbrush (still in package and/or toothpaste not opened). Of the used toothbrushes collected (n = 1817): 48% (872/1817) had at least 1 organism; 14% (251/1817) of the toothbrushes were positive for 3 or more organisms. Conclusions: These results identify the lack of availability of toothbrushes for patients and support the need for hospitals to incorporate a rigorous, consistent, and comprehensive oral care program to address the evident risk of microbe exposure in the oral cavity.