The impact of 0.5% chlorhexidine oral decontamination on the prevalence of colonization and respiratory tract infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Preliminary study.

Aims: To determine the effect of Chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.5% oral decontamination on the incidence of colonization/infection of lower respiratory tract in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods: The study was conducted in the multidisciplinary ICU.