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CE: Oral Care for Head and Neck Cancer Symptom Management
Laura Cullen1, Sharon Baumler, Michele Farrington
1Laura Cullen is an evidence-based practice scientist, Sharon Baumler is a staff nurse, Michele Farrington is a clinical health care research associate, Cindy Dawson is the interim chief nursing officer, Peggy Folkmann is a nurse clinician (retired), and Loraine Brenner is a nurse clinician, all in the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Contact author: Laura Cullen, laura-cullen@uiowa.edu. The authors gratefully acknowledge Jimmy Reyes, DNP, RN, AGNP, for his translation of the oral care insert into Spanish, and the DAISY Foundation for the partial funding it provided. The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
: An evidence-based practice change at a radiation oncology center in a large academic medical center was designed to reduce the severity of oral mucositis in adults receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. In the intervention described, patients were given newly created oral care kits and educational materials to improve their oral hygiene. Evaluations were conducted at three points during the project (before radiation treatment, during week 4 to 5 of treatment, and one month after treatment). At week 4 to 5-when the severity of oral mucositis is expected to peak-patients reported improved oral hygiene practices and reduced oral mucositis severity. The authors conclude that the use of these oral care kits and educational materials lessened the effects of oral mucositis during and after radiation treatment.