Exploring nurses knowledge, practices and perceptions regarding comprehensive oral care for critically ill patients among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in Botswana.
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Comprehensive oral care is an evidence-based, cost effective, \nessential routine nursing intervention that nurses ought to provide with good \nknowledge/understanding as it prevents and controls nosocomial infections \nespecially Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) that is associated with \nincreased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients in Intensive Care \nUnits (ICU). \nAim of study: To determine ICU nurses’ knowledge, describe their practices \nand identify their perceptions regarding comprehensive oral health care to \ncritically ill patients in order to refine or develop evidence based oral care \nprotocol. \nMethods: A quantitative approach with a descriptive, exploratory survey was \nused for this study. A non probability convenience sample of thirty-four (34) \nICU nurses from two public referral hospitals participated in this study. A \nquestionnaire with a combination of open and closed ended questions was used \nto collect data on comprehensive oral care to critically ill patients. \nResults \nThirty-four nurses responded to the questionnaire (response rate 89%). Only \n18% (n=6) were knowledgeable about important aspects of oral care, while the \nmajority, 82% (n=28) lacked knowledge on important aspects of oral care. \nFifty-nine percent (59%) n=20 had received training on comprehensive oral \ncare at basic nursing training and 44% (n=15) had orientation at unit level. \nNinety-seven percent (97%) n=33 of the participants requested further updates \non comprehensive oral care. No significant relationships were found between \nnurses’ demographic characteristics and knowledge of comprehensive oral \ncare. All (100%) n=34 of nurses gave oral care a high priority and 91% ranked \nit very important for critically ill patients. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were \nused by 85% (n=29) of nurses and only 50% (n=17) used mouthwashes. The \nreason for non- use of mouthwashes was lack of supplies and not having been \nforeseen in unit protocol although neither of the units had an oral care protocol \nin place.
Author: Annah Philo. Sarefho
Language: English
Topic: Nosocomial Infections in ICU
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2341082936