A survey on oral care practices for ventilator‐assisted patients in intensive care units in 3A hospitals of mainland China

Abstract

Oral hygiene is a critical element of patient care, particularly among patients who need ventilator-assisted equipment. The objective of this study was to explore the current status of oral care practices, attitudes, education and knowledge among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses caring for ventilator-assisted patients in 3A hospitals in mainland China. To achieve this aim, an 18-item self-assessment questionnaire was mailed to head ICU nurses in 189 Grade 3A hospitals. Additional data were collected through in-person interviews at 38 ICUs throughout Sichuan, Shanxi, Jiangsu provinces, as well as Chongqing and Beijing. We found that most ICUs conducted oral examinations at patient admission, and that this care was largely provided by nurses. The most common oral care methods were foam swabs and mouth rinse containing antibiotics or disinfectants. Although the majority of ICUs provided continuing training for oral care, and most training was conducted by head nurses, the content and scope of training were not consistent among the hospitals in the study. The most popular sources of oral care knowledge were academic journals, Internet and professional books. Overall, it is clear that an evidence-based oral care standard manual is urgently needed for oral practice in ICUs in mainland China.

Survey of oral nursing care attitudes, knowledge and practices in a neurorehabilitation setting

“…As in previous surveys among ICU nurses, only few respondents believed that there were other more important tasks to be taken care of rather than oral care (12%), indicating that the majority of respondents believed that oral care is an important issue.…”

“…Patients with ABI usually have physical impairment, lack of motor co-ordination and the cognitive deficits, which become important barriers to the practice of routine oral hygiene, especially with complications like dysphagia. 33 As in previous surveys among ICU nurses, 14,[22][23][24][25][27][28][29][30][31][32] only few respondents believed that there were other more important tasks to be taken care of rather than oral care (12%), indicating that the majority of respondents believed that oral care is an important issue.…”

“…The survey was a 59‐item questionnaire prepared by two nurse leaders responsible for oral care, researchers with dental and nursing background, and a neurologist at HNRC. The questionnaire was adapted and modified from the 21‐item questionnaire by Binkley et al This questionnaire has been used in several studies to assess ICU nurses attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge on oral care, oral care training, and hospital supplies, equipment, and time. The questionnaire uses response options based on a 5‐point Likert scale ("strongly agree," "somewhat agree," "neither agree nor disagree," "somewhat disagree," "strongly disagree").…”

“…• Survey signifies the importance of academic-clinical partnership to evaluate and improve oral care. 14 This questionnaire has been used in several studies [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] to assess ICU nurses attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge on oral care, oral care training, and hospital supplies, equipment, and time. The questionnaire uses response options based on a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly agree," "somewhat agree," "neither agree nor disagree," "somewhat disagree," "strongly disagree").…”

‘Accentuate the positive’: Taking advice from a 1940s song

“…Risk, the chance of something happening, is measured in terms of likelihood and impact. To reduce the likelihood of health care‐associated infections, we emphasize routine preventive practices such as hand hygiene and oral care; we target ‘safe’ administration of medications because of the frequently reported errors and the potential deleterious impacts of wrong patient, drug, dose, route or time. We have an enormous concern, and focus, on errors and near‐miss events, and whole systems dedicated to recording these.…”