Getting research into practice: developing oral hygiene standards

In 1997, the then Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust established a nursing research and practice development committee (NRPDC) to implement evidence-based practice in nursing care in response to its nursing strategy for 1998-2000. A survey of nursing projects was undertaken in 1996 and repeated in spring of 1998. Initially, 107 projects were identified which included 58 reviews of the literature. In 1998, 95 projects were identified with 42 reviews of literature. The number of research projects being undertaken by nurses in the trust increased from four to 15 and the number of audits increased from nine to 45. The NRPDC established a link nurse system to assist in developing practice at ward level and they have been offering a series of educational seminars. Oral hygiene was the first topic tackled trustwide, with a mouth care standard developed and staff knowledge subsequently surveyed 6 months after it was put into practice. Results demonstrated a good level of knowledge for general oral hygiene among trained and untrained staff. However, specialist oral care and care of stomatitis require some further updating. This survey has identified the increasing sophistication of the projects being undertaken by the nursing staff across the trust and the support they are receiving. This arrangement has provided the opportunity to demonstrate the impact of having a senior researcher available for advice at trust level. The NRPDC can improve the quality of evidence-based care delivered within the trust and it can provide a model for the implementation of evidence-based practice.