A NOVEL SELF-ACTIVATED DISPOSABLE CLEANING TRAY FOR ORAL HYGIENE IN UNCONSCIOUS ICU PATIENTS

Background: maintaining adequate oral hygiene in unconscious patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is essential for preventing systemic complications, particularly Ventilator- Associated Pneumonia (VAP). Conventional oral care procedures are often suboptimal, resource-intensive, and may pose discomfort or risk to vulnerable patients. Aim: to introduce and preliminarily evaluate an innovative protocol employing a self-activated, disposable oral cleaning tray with low environmental impact, designed to support oral hygiene in unconscious ICU patients. Methods: the device, currently under development, consists of a flexible tray designed to conform to the oral anatomy and support atraumatic cleaning. Upon application, the tray activates a controlled release of cleansing agents, enabling gentle and passive debridement of the oral cavity without requiring complex instrumentation or prolonged caregiver intervention. Results: the single-use nature of the tray minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and supports hygienic handling. Expected clinical benefits include improved plaque control, reduced oral microbial burden, enhanced patient safety, and a lower incidence of respiratory complications linked to poor oral care. Conclusions: preliminary clinical observations suggest that this protocol may outperform standard oral hygiene practices in ICU settings, while also offering a reduced environmental impact. Further clinical validation is necessary to confirm its efficacy and establish its role within critical care protocols.