Exploring nurses knowledge, practices and perceptions regarding comprehensive oral care for critically ill patients among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in Botswana.
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Background: Comprehensive oral care is an evidence-based, cost effective,
essential routine nursing intervention that nurses ought to provide with good
knowledge/understanding as it prevents and controls nosocomial infections
especially Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) that is associated with
increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients in Intensive Care
Units (ICU).
Aim of study: To determine ICU nurses’ knowledge, describe their practices
and identify their perceptions regarding comprehensive oral health care to
critically ill patients in order to refine or develop evidence based oral care
protocol.
Methods: A quantitative approach with a descriptive, exploratory survey was
used for this study. A non probability convenience sample of thirty-four (34)
ICU nurses from two public referral hospitals participated in this study. A
questionnaire with a combination of open and closed ended questions was used
to collect data on comprehensive oral care to critically ill patients.
Results
Thirty-four nurses responded to the questionnaire (response rate 89%). Only
18% (n=6) were knowledgeable about important aspects of oral care, while the
majority, 82% (n=28) lacked knowledge on important aspects of oral care.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) n=20 had received training on comprehensive oral
care at basic nursing training and 44% (n=15) had orientation at unit level.
Ninety-seven percent (97%) n=33 of the participants requested further updates
on comprehensive oral care. No significant relationships were found between
nurses’ demographic characteristics and knowledge of comprehensive oral
care. All (100%) n=34 of nurses gave oral care a high priority and 91% ranked
it very important for critically ill patients. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were
used by 85% (n=29) of nurses and only 50% (n=17) used mouthwashes. The
reason for non- use of mouthwashes was lack of supplies and not having been
foreseen in unit protocol although neither of the units had an oral care protocol
in place.
Description
Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.
Keywords
Intensive care nursing--Botswana., Intensive care units--Botswana., Critically ill--Care--Botswana., Mouth--Care and hygiene--Botswana., Theses--Nursing.