Oral Care is an Important Component of VAP Prevention Protocols.
In adults, oral care using mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has been shown to reduce the relative risk of acquiring VAP by 67%. Products containing CPC are safe and effective for adults, but the FDA considers CPC unsafe for children under six years of age. So, Hawaii Medical has developed a special anti-VAP, oral care kit just for infants and children — the VAP Guard Kit.

We selected Biotene Oralbalance gel for the VAP Guard Kit because Biotene's active ingredients — lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin — are naturally occurring antibacterial enzymes found in human breast milk and colostrum. In vitro studies have shown these ingredients to be effective in reducing levels of VAP-causing pathogens, including P aeruginosa (the most common bacterium that causes VAP) as well as other pathogens associated with VAP, such as Enterbacter species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Now you can help guard against VAP —
It's convenient and economical to protect your babies!
The VAP Guard™ Kit is a low cost, easy-to-administer, effective way of providing anti-VAP oral care to intubated infants and children. Each kit contains a 2ml Twist-Tip vial of Biotene Oralbalance gel and two specially sized swabs. Administer gel on the gums and tongue every four to six hours. Residual gel remains in the mouth to act as a moisturizer and will dissolve over one hour or so. Apply a thin coating of gel to help moisturize lips. The gel is clear and has a slightly sweet taste. Be sure to follow your hospital protocol.