Oral Care of Hospitalised Older Patients in the Acute Medical Setting

Abstract

Oral health care is an essential aspect of nursing care. There are many variances in the quality and frequency of the oral care that is delivered to patients by nursing staff, such as oral care being given a low priority when compared to other nursing care elements, oral care being neglected, and oral care delivery being dependent on the nurse's knowledge of oral hygiene. Additionally, there are some particular patient groups known to be at risk of oral health problems or who have existing oral diseases and conditions. As people age their susceptibility increases to chronic and life-threatening diseases, and they can be at increased risk of acute infections increases compromised by ageing immune systems. The aim of this literature review was to ignite the discussion related to the oral care practices of nurses for older acute medical hospitalised patients. The review revealed that nursing staff know that good nursing includes oral health care, but this knowledge does not always mean that oral health care is administered. Oral health care seems to be separated from other nursing activities and is not discussed when nursing care plans are written, only when oral problems are obvious.

Supporting and Empowering Direct‐Care Nurses to Promote EBP: An Example of Evidence‐Based Policy Development, Education, and Practice Change

“…Oral care can significantly impact patient and organizational outcomes by improving patients' nutritional intake and reducing negative side effects such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and infection (Salamone, Yacoub, Mahoney, & Edward, ). Yet, oral care is largely dependent on the nurses' knowledge of best practice (Salamone et al., ).…”

“…Oral care can significantly impact patient and organizational outcomes by improving patients' nutritional intake and reducing negative side effects such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and infection (Salamone, Yacoub, Mahoney, & Edward, ). Yet, oral care is largely dependent on the nurses' knowledge of best practice (Salamone et al., ). Access to clear policies, proper supplies, adequate time, and outcome monitoring are all contributing factors to the quality and frequency of oral care delivery (Quinn et al., ).…”

“…For example, in a study of nurses by Pettit, McCann, Schneiderman, Farren, and Campbell (), 52% reportedly felt inadequately educated for oral care management and 21% reportedly did not feel responsible for oral care. In addition to deviating from best practice guidelines, nurses often assign oral care a lower priority when compared to other competing patient needs (Salamone et al., ).…”

Integrated oral health care for stroke patients – a scoping review

“…To facilitate a greater nursing role in poststroke oral care, registered stroke nurses need to be trained in oral care. This is highly important considering that overall nursing knowledge about oral health is poor, reflected by a similar lack of knowledge by acute medical and intensive care unit nurses (Salamone et al 2013). Furthermore, training enrolled nurses and nursing assistants is important, along with incorporating oral health education into the Australian nursing student curriculum, ensuring that poststroke oral care will become a vital part of normal practice in the future.…”

Oral Hygiene Buruk Pasien Rawat Inap Tidak Berkaitan Dengan Pertumbuhan Oral Candidiasis

“…Pasien rawat inap merupakan awal dari penurunan fungsional dan peningkatan ketergantungan yang dapat menyebabkan seseorang individu membutuhkan perawatan jangka panjang. 3 Kebersihan mulut yang buruk pada pasien rawat inap meningkatkan risiko infeksi nosokomial berupa gingivitis, plak, dan mukositis. 4 …”