Nurses’ perceptions and practices regarding oral care in hospitalized patients: a qualitative study on missed nursing care

Abstract

BACKGROUNDOral health is considered essential for individuals’ well-being. Poor oral health has a negative impact on overall human health while contributing and predisposing to other diseases. It has been internationally documented that nurses delay or omit oral care of hospitalized patients and as a result of this, the risk of adverse events is increased.METHODSFour focus groups were organized (n=30) to elicit the issue under study. Nurse managers and nurses working in medical and surgical departments in 3 acute care hospitals participated in June 2019. The discussions were coordinated by an independent moderator, using a semi-structured interview guide. Recordings of the conversations were transcribed and thematic analysis was performed according to Krueger and Casey guidelines.RESULTSThe findings confirm that oral care of hospitalized patients is often omitted and is not acknowledged as an important patient need. The barriers and facilitators that affected oral health care positively or negatively were divided into three themes and included patient’ characteristics, nurses’ knowledge and skills and recourses as well as the working environment.CONCLUSIONSOral care is not considered as priority and there are many factors that contribute negatively or positively to its implementation. Nurse managers and nurses can play a crucial role for the adoption of universal oral care practices in hospitalized patients.