Implementation Of Oral Care Protocol Research Articles

Oral Complications and Management Strategies for Cancer Patients: Principles of Supportive Oncology in Dentistry.

It is recognized that patients undergoing cancer treatment experience different adverse effects depending on the type of therapy they received. The objective of this work is to provide a scientific evidence-based protocol for oral care in cancer patients. Cancer resection surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can cause important complications that impact patients' quality of life. Cancer patients, from the moment of diagnosis to the end of treatment and subsequent follow-up, have diverse care needs, both from a systemic and local point of view. The implementation of oral care protocols before, during, and after cancer therapy is essential because it helps to identify risk factors for the development of predictable oral complications. It is essential to establish that all cancer patients, before starting treatment, undergo a systematic dental check-up to avoid limitations during treatment and also alter their quality of life. Regular professional oral care maintenance and follow-up programs are essential to maintaining a patient's long-term oral health.

Impact of Oral Care and Antisepsis on the Prevalence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of oral care and use of chlorhexidine gluconate on the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). An evaluation was performed on 229 patients admitted to ICU in 2012 (before implementation of oral care protocol) and 329 in 2013 (after the protocol). Oral care was based on the removal of secretions from the oral cavity with 0.12% chlorhexidine solution for brushing and sterile gauze for cleaning before a new aspiration. The cases of VAP were evaluated by observing respiratory signs, radiological changes, and culture and laboratory results. The following data were also analysed: gender, length hospital of stay, mechanical ventilation, use of antibiotics and aetiological agent of infection. There was a tendency towards lower risk of development of VAP after application of oral care protocol (odds ratio = 0.64-95% CI: 0.39-1.04). There was also a reduction in the incidence of early pneumonia (up to 72 h of hospitalisation). With regard to the aetiological agent of infections, although Gram-negative bacteria predominated in the two periods studied, there was a decrease in the cases of Staphylococcus aureus infection. Oral care protocol has statistically significantly reduced the risk of developing early VAP in ICU patients, thus demonstrating the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork for hospitalised patients.

Impact of oral care protocol on the incidence and severity of stomatitis induced by radiotherapy

Background: Oral stomatitis is a common debilitating complication of cancer radiotherapy. It results from local effects of radiation on the oral mucosa. The impact of oral stomatitis is far-reaching for patients, caregivers and the medical system. Objective: the aim of the study was to assess impact of oral care protocol to radiotherapy induced stomatitis in cancer patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in the Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department at Main Mansoura University Hospital. The data were collected from two hundred adult patients of both sex randomized selected who corresponded to inclusion criteria and divided into two groups. Results: the result indicates increased total knowledge score for patients at immediate post more than post tests 1 and post test 2. Also it was found decreased incidence and severity of stomatitis after oral care protocol. There were a positive relation between severity and incidence of stomatitis of studied patients in relation to their knowledge. Conclusion: The implementation of oral care protocol had a positive effect on the studied patients' total knowledge scores and decrease incidence and severity of stomatitis in the study group. It was recommended that, Cancer patients should be given a written instruction plan for their radiotherapy steps and selfmanagement measures to radiotherapy.

Oral Care Education in the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Quality Patient Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in mechanically ventilated patients in the United States. Routine oral care has been shown to have a direct effect on reducing VAP rates. Intensive care unit registered nurses attended educational sessions about oral care and also used online education modules. Nursing care involving 180 intubated patients was observed, and changes were noted in practices related to oral care. After the education intervention, the frequency of oral care increased significantly (p = .001) to tooth brushing every 4 hours and swabbing every 12 hours with 0.12% chlorhexidine solution. The evidence-based practice education intervention decreased VAP rates by 62.5%. Significant reductions in VAP rates may be achieved through improved education and implementation of oral care protocols with 0.12% chlorhexidine solution.

Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Through Oral Care, Product Selection, and Application Method

Review the literature to identify the most effective method of oral hygiene to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection in patients being treated with mechanical ventilation. This study is a systematic literature review. The databases searched included Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid, and MEDLINE. Implementation of oral care protocols and nurse education programs reduced VAP. Although chlorhexidine was the most popular oral care product, no consensus emerged on concentration or protocols for oral care. No consensus on best practice for oral hygiene in patients being treated with mechanical ventilation was found. Chlorhexidine was the most popular oral care product. Implementation of an oral care protocol, ongoing nurse education, and evaluation were important in reducing the incidence of VAP. Future research should analyze chlorhexidine concentration, application techniques, and frequency of oral care, to optimize VAP prevention.

Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Through Oral Care, Product Selection, and Application Method

Objective:Review the literature to identify the most effective method of oral hygiene to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).Background:Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection in patients being treated with mechanical ventilation.Method:This study is a systematic literature review. The databases searched included Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid, and MEDLINE.Results:Implementation of oral care protocols and nurse education programs reduced VAP. Although chlorhexidine was the most popular oral care product, no consensus emerged on concentration or protocols for oral care.Conclusion:No consensus on best practice for oral hygiene in patients being treated with mechanical ventilation was found. Chlorhexidine was the most popular oral care product. Implementation of an oral care protocol, ongoing nurse education, and evaluation were important in reducing the incidence of VAP. Future research should analyze chlorhexidine concentration, application techniques, and frequency of oral care, to optimize VAP prevention.

Nurses’ Implementation of Guidelines for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ventilator-associated pneumonia accounts for 47% of infections in patients in intensive care units. Adherence to the best nursing practices recommended in the 2003 guidelines for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. To evaluate the extent to which nurses working in intensive care units implement best practices when managing adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Nurses attending education seminars in the United States completed a 29-item questionnaire about the type and frequency of care provided. Twelve hundred nurses completed the questionnaire. Most (82%) reported compliance with hand-washing guidelines, 75% reported wearing gloves, half reported elevating the head of the bed, a third reported performing subglottic suctioning, and half reported having an oral care protocol in their hospital. Nurses in hospitals with an oral care protocol reported better compliance with hand washing and maintaining head-of-bed elevation, were more likely to regularly provide oral care, and were more familiar with rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the organisms involved than were nurses working in hospitals without such protocols. The guidelines for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not consistently or uniformly implemented. Practices of nurses employed in hospitals with oral care protocols are more often congruent with the guidelines than are practices of nurses employed in hospitals without such protocols. Significant reductions in rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia may be achieved by broader implementation of oral care protocols.

Current practice and knowledge of oral care for cancer patients: a survey of supportive health care providers

The Oral Care Study Section of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the International Society for Oral Oncology (ISOO) conducted a survey on clinical practices of oral/dental management of cancer patients among supportive health care providers. The main purpose was to evaluate the knowledge and current practice for preventing and managing oral side effects associated with intensive chemotherapy (ICT), hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), and radiation therapy to the head and neck (H&N RT). A questionnaire designed and pretested was sent to 212 MASCC/ISOO members around the world with different dental and medical backgrounds. Seventy-four individuals (35%) responded. The majority of respondents were aware of possible oral complications and provided patients with clinical strategies and recommendations although there was considerable variability among the respondents. Approximately 75% stated that patients were referred for oral/dental care prior to H&N RT and ICT including HCT. However, integrated dental and medical services were reported available in only about 25% of the institutions, and most patients were referred to community-based dental professionals. The survey represents a first review of current, international oral care practices. It suggests a need to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines to support effective oral/dental interventions and management strategies for this population. Furthermore, strategies for implementation of oral care protocols and better integration of dental and medical services should be developed. Caution in interpreting these findings is urged due to the limited response rate.