Enhancing Standardized Practices for Oral Mucositis Prevention in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation:...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Hematology
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Oral mucositis (OM) is a significant complication for pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
• A notable gap exists between clinical practice guidelines and actual nursing care for OM prevention and management.
• Non-standardized nursing practices contribute to challenges in effectively managing OM in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of implementing evidence-based interventions for preventing chemotherapy-induced OM in pediatric HSCT patients.
• To enhance nurses' adherence to evidence-based protocols for oral care in HSCT recipients.
• To bridge the gap between research findings and clinical application in pediatric HSCT care.

Main Methods:

• The study followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) evidence-based practice model.
• Key steps included literature review, evidence extraction, gap analysis, audit criteria development, baseline audit, action planning, intervention implementation, and outcome assessment.
• A systematic approach was used to integrate evidence into clinical nursing practice.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in 6 out of 12 audit criteria, indicating enhanced compliance with evidence-based practices (P<0.05).
• The incidence of OM decreased from 66.6% to 36.7% (P=0.02), with reductions across all severity grades (I-IV).
• Standardized oral care routines and workflows for OM prevention were successfully established.

Conclusions:

• Bridging the evidence-practice gap standardizes nursing care for pediatric HSCT patients.
• Standardized care demonstrably decreases the incidence and severity of oral mucositis.
• This initiative improves patient outcomes and establishes a robust framework for oral care in HSCT settings.