Provision of Oral Care for Hospitalized Patients among Nurses

Abstract

Effective oral care for hospitalized patients is known to improve patient's quality of life, prevent serious infections and promote health and well-being. To assess the type and frequency of oral care delivered to hospitalized patients by nurses and to evaluate possible barriers. A cross-sectional survey of all cadres of nurses caring for hospitalized patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was conducted in 2010. The questionnaire elicited information on the demography, provision of oral care, oral care methods, frequency of care and barriers to rendering oral care to hospitalized patients. A total of 384 questionnaires were completed and returned giving a 96.0% response rate. Majority (96.1%) believed that oral care should be given priority in hospitalized patients but fewer respondents (81.8%) provided oral care for hospitalized patients. The frequency of oral care was majorly once daily by 65.6% of the respondents. The preventive oral care services commonly rendered were toothbrushing (28.0%), use of mouthwashes (24.8%), oral toileting with warm saline (18.5%). Lack of oral care materials and uncooperative patients were identified barriers to the performance of oral care services. Half of the respondents (51.6%) claimed to have enough training on the effective provision of oral care for hospitalized patients. Atotal of 50.3% think that nurses are in better position to render care to hospitalized patients. The overall provision of oral care for hospitalized patients by the nurses revealed some deficiencies that can be corrected by ensuring adequate supplies and knowledge to respond to uncooperative patients.

Key words: oral care, hospitalized patients, nurses