[Enhancing nurse implementation of oral healthcare in an intensive care unit]

Oral health professionals identified inadequate levels of patient oral health in our intensive care unit (ICU). A post-review analysis of collected data and field observation notes concluded that this problem resulted from several factors including: (1) Failure of ICU nurses to follow mouth care standards; (2) lack of oral injury care procedures; (3) lack of oral injury consultation procedures; (4) lack of oral care monitoring; (5) substandard oral care assistive devices.

The authors designed this project to raise general nursing staff knowledge of oral hygiene standards and increase the ability of nurses to implement proper oral healthcare.

After discussions with oral health professionals and reviewing articles in the literature, the authors implemented Critical Patient Oral Care Standards and Oral Injury Consultation Procedures and purchased new assistive care devices. The authors also conducted regular on-the-job training sessions for hospital staff that were reinforced by regular monitoring.

Training significantly increased nursing staff recognition of oral health care. Oral health care test scores rose from an initial average of 16% correct to a final average of 90% correct. Accurate implementation of oral health care in the ICU rose from an initial 19.69% to 78.66% of cases.

This project significantly enhanced the accuracy and appropriateness of nurse oral health care delivery and quality health care promotion in the ICU.