Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-1609.12028
Title: Oral hygiene of patients with cancer in an acute oncology ward: A best practice project
Authors: Wee, W.M.Y.
Ang, E. 
Ng, P.I.
Keywords: Education programme
JBI best practice
Nurse
Oral hygiene
Tooth-brushing
Issue Date: Sep-2013
Citation: Wee, W.M.Y., Ang, E., Ng, P.I. (2013-09). Oral hygiene of patients with cancer in an acute oncology ward: A best practice project. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare 11 (3) : 194-201. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-1609.12028
Abstract: Background: Good oral hygiene is achieved through a conscientious routine of healthy oral hygiene practices. Oral hygiene can be regarded as one of the most fundamental nursing interventions, particularly in meeting the basic needs for personal hygiene of patients. Without a good pre-existing oral condition that is free from gum infection and oral infections, many of the activities of daily living, such as eating, communicating and swallowing, would be difficult. However, a previous descriptive study has found that the majority of hospitalised patients did not have a satisfactory standard of oral hygiene, and in most of those cases, oral hygiene is a much neglected component in both nursing and medical care. Aim: The aim of this project is to improve the oral hygiene of patients with cancer in an oncology ward by implementing nursing interventions based on best practices. Methods: The research team utilised the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System programme to facilitate the collection of pre- and post-audit data. Getting Research into Practice programme was also used to analyse the potential barriers and for designing the final action plan. This project was conducted in three different phases over a 5-month period at a 24-bed oncology ward located in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore. Results: Comparison of the pre-audit and post-audit results shows significant improvements in all four audit criteria. An increase of 50% of the patients reported having their toothbrushes and toothpaste available during their hospitalisation. The compliance rate of patients who performed tooth-brushing twice daily also nearly doubled (42% to 83%). One hundred per cent of the nurses underwent an oral hygiene education programme. Sixty-seven per cent of patients demonstrated proper denture care, a significant improvement from 0% at baseline. Conclusion: In conclusion, this project successfully utilised and actualised the best practices of oral hygiene care in patients in our clinical setting. With effective oral hygiene interventions in place, the oral hygiene of patients with cancer could be more effectively maintained and sustained. In addition, the closer relationship forged between the research team and the oncology nurses as a result of the project not only increased the satisfaction and productivity of the oncology nurses, but also motivated them to deliver a higher quality of care to patients, which would contribute to an improvement in patient satisfaction. © 2013 The Authors International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare © 2013 The Joanna Briggs Institute.
Source Title: International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare
URI: http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/127138
ISSN: 17441595
DOI: 10.1111/1744-1609.12028
Appears in Collections:Staff Publications

Show full item record
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.