Salisbury hospital uses mouthwash to treat Covid patients
Teams at a hospital in Salisbury are using mouthwash to treat patients with severe symptoms of Covid-19.
Patients and staff at Salisbury District Hospital are now given mouthwash after research confirmed that it can help to reduce the risk of severe disease and treat symptoms.
Consultant radiologist, Dr Graham Lloyd-Jones, said that simple, inexpensive oral hygiene measures can play an influential role in fighting Covid. Researchers at Cardiff University found that using mouthwash could kill the virus quickly.
Within 30 seconds, mouthwash that contained 0.07% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) had destroyed the virus. During the trial period, the team recreated the natural conditions in the nasal passages and throat using an over-the-counter mouthwash product.
CEO of Salisbury NHS, Stacey Hunter, said that oral care is hugely beneficial for patients undergoing treatment in hospital. Mouthwash is still being trialled at the hospital and the team is collecting data all the time. While the “pioneering” project is underway, staff are focused on achieving “excellence in oral healthcare.”
The findings so far suggest that improving oral care and using mouthwash for inpatients can reduce the amount of time patients spend in hospital and lower the risk of death. Staff at Salisbury Hospital have been provided with over 4,000 bottles of mouthwash.
Sara Hurley, chief dental officer for England, praised the initiative and said that it was important to recognise that “mouth care matters.”
The hospital team will share the findings of the trial with colleagues at the Salisbury Hospital Oro-Systemic Health Symposium on Thursday March 3rd.
