Implementing Oral Candidiasis Protocol Beyond Pharmaceutical Intervention in the NICU

Infants in the NICU are at an increased risk for developing opportunistic infections, such as oral candidiasis, due to their immature immune systems. These infections have the potential to become systemic and increase morbidity and mortality1. Candida albicans, the predominant cause of oral candidiasis, can thrive on the surfaces of pacifiers even without a nutritive medium2. There is currently no protocol for decolonization of oral objects, especially pacifiers, beyond standard practices upon the diagnosis of oral candidiasis in the UUH NICU.