Tehan, Peta Ellen, Browne, Katrina, Matterson, Georgia, Cheng, Allen C, Dawson, Sonja, Graves, Nicholas, Johnson, Douglas, Kiernan, Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9926-7781, Madhuvu, Auxillia, Marshall, Caroline, McDonagh, Julee, Northcote, Maria, O'Connor, Jayne, Orr, Liz, Rawson, Helen, Russo, Philip, Sim, Jenny, Stewardson, Andrew J, Wallace, Janet, White, Nicole, Wilson, Rhonda and Mitchell, Brett G (2024) Oral care practices and hospital-acquired pneumonia prevention: A national survey of Australian nurses. Infection, disease & health. S2468-0451(24)00028. ISSN 2468-0869

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Abstract

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) also known as non-ventilator associated pneumonia, is one of the most common infections acquired in hospitalised patients. Improving oral hygiene appears to reduce the incidence of HAP. This study aimed to describe current practices, barriers and facilitators, knowledge and educational preferences of registered nurses performing oral health care in the Australian hospital setting, with a focus on the prevention of HAP. We present this as a short research report. We undertook a cross sectional online anonymous survey of Australian registered nurses. Participants were recruited via electronic distribution through existing professional networks and social media. The survey used was modified from an existing survey on oral care practice. The survey was completed by 179 participants. Hand hygiene was considered a very important strategy to prevent pneumonia (n = 90, 58%), while 45% (n = 71) felt that oral care was very important. The most highly reported barriers for providing oral care included: an uncooperative patient; inadequate staffing; and a lack of oral hygiene requisite. Patients' reminders, prompts and the provision of toothbrushes were common ways believed to help facilitate improvements in oral care. Findings from this survey will be used in conjunction with consumer feedback, to help inform a planned multi-centre randomised trial, the Hospital Acquired Pneumonia PrEveNtion (HAPPEN) study, aimed at reducing the incidence of HAP. Findings may also be useful for informing studies and quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving oral care to reduce the incidence of HAP. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.]

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1016/j.idh.2024.04.006
Additional Information:	** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router ** History: received 19-02-2024; revised 11-04-2024; accepted 11-04-2024.
Keywords:	Pneumonia, Hospital acquired pneumonia, Nursing, practical, Nursing, Oral hygiene
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health > Infection prevention
SWORD Depositor:	Jisc Router
Depositing User:	Jisc Router
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2024 05:20
Last Modified:	18 Sep 2024 08:00
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/11948

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