Factors related to compliance among critical care nurses with performing oral care protocols for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit.

Oral care is an important component of the ventilator bundle; however, few studies have investigated the factors related to compliance with performing oral care among critical care nurses. In this observational study of 759 oral care opportunities performed by 133 critical care nurses, we found that the overall oral care compliance rate was 83.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that nurses' age, academic degree, intensive care unit license, and location were independent predictors of performing oral care for patients in the intensive care unit.