PICOT Question-In adult patients aged 40 years or older under intubation or mechanical ventilation in ICU settings (P) will the use of 0.2% oral chlorhexidine (I) compared to the use of normal saline(C) decrease the rate of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia(O) from 16% to 10%  within 6 weeks(T)?

Star Point 2:  Summary (Evidence to support the need for a change)

Describe the practice problem in your own words and formulate your PICOT question.

Critically ill patients who might be under sedation or unconscious while receiving treatment in the ICU/CCU setting require the support of ventilator machines to breathe properly.  However, using these machines (mechanical ventilation) or intubation for more than 48 hours can lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) which is a serious complication among critically ill patients. It is associated with prolonged stays in the hospital, prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation, additional medical costs, increased morbidity, and double mortality risk. Therefore, considering the risks associated with VAP, reduction or prevention should be a priority for nursing care.