title: Observations of oral hygiene care interventions provided by nurses to hospitalized older people.
abstract: Dependent older hospitalized patients rely on nurses to assist them with the removal of plaque from their teeth, dentures, and oral cavities. Oral care interventions by 25 nurses on post-acute units, where patients have longer hospital stays, were observed during evening care. In addition to efforts to engage patients in oral care, nurses provided the following interventions: (a) supporting the care of persons with dentures; (b) supporting the care of natural teeth; (c) cleansing the tongue and oral cavity; and (d) moisturizing lips and oral tissues. Patients' oral hygiene care was supported in just over one-third of encounters. Denture care was inconsistently performed, and was infrequently followed by care of the oral cavity. Nurses did not encourage adequate self-care of natural teeth by patients, and infrequently moisturized tissues. Evidence-based oral hygiene care standards are required to assist nurses to support patients in achieving optimal oral hygiene outcomes.
authors: Hamilton Health Sciences - St. Peter's Hospital, 88 Maplewood Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8M 1W9; School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: coker@hhsc.ca.
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Coker
authors: School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Ploeg
authors: School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Kaasalainen
authors: School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Carter
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000451:nursing; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D009909:Oral Health / Q000592:standards*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing
keywords: Case study; Hospital; Nurses; Observation; Oral hygiene interventions