As nurses, we learn early that part of primary nursing care includes good oral care for our patients. It is not only a significant comfort measure but is also essential for overall health and well-being. So why does the research show that oral care is often seen as a low priority in acute settings compared to other patient care essentials?
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I have always had a hard time being in the same room where someone is brushing their teeth. My sister and brother used to torture me by brushing their teeth in front of me. I'd protest loudly and they would laugh.
When I got into nursing there was not too much that grossed me out. I've been thrown up on, pooped on, peed on, picked paralyzed people's noses for them with cotton-tip applicators, done trach care, etc., but I really had to learn to shut off that button in my head for oral care.
The worst is with a Hospice patient whose oral care has been ignored and there is lots of dried mucous and wet mucous to clear off the roof or their mouths and from their tongues. Even though I hated doing it, I did it anyway, because it seems like it would be so uncomfortable for the patient....or for their relatives visiting with them.
Same. When I first started out I assumed either the patient was doing it or the CNA. It wasn’t until I had a patient whose lips were stuck together that I realized how many people before me overlooked this. Now I offer even if the patient is AAOx4, I will make sure they have the supplies. For Everyone else I do it whether it was done on previous shift or not. We like to brush morning and night as well right?
I was interviewed by the writer of this article, because my father died of Hospital Acquired MRSA pneumonia. His story is in this article. The reason for his admission was a minor ankle fracture/rehabilitation. But, pneumonia killed him. He was one of three people who were infected and then died of MRSA infection (the other two were ortho joint replacement patients) in just a few weeks, in his small community hospital. Would oral care have helped? Very possibly. I saw all levels of nursing care while he was hospitalized...from flip and lousy care to excellent and detailed compassionate care. Care is metered out differently by different nurses, but oral care and hygiene are basic nursing care and it prevents infections, including pneumonia. It doesn't require a special or huge amount of skill, and it should never be skimped on. This is a very important issue.
Indeed, we can't deny that we work with reduced staff in high acuity settings in our current health care environment. These workload pressures cause us to prioritize elements of care. But should we dismiss the significance of oral care? Perhaps if we truly understand the implications of the lack of oral assessment and care, we may reconsider our prioritization.
Who is at the most risk?
By and large, our patients at most risk are older adults over 65. According to the CDC, adults over 65 comprise 16% of the total population in the United States. But in 2018, they comprised over 35% of hospital admissions. People in this age group are more likely to have existing chronic and comorbid diseases. Due to their aging immune systems, older adults are more susceptible to life-threatening infections. In addition, this age group often depends on health care workers to assist them with the most basic activities of daily living, especially early in their hospital admission1.
What are the risks?
Research shows that shortly after admission to the hospital, a seriously ill older adult patient will colonize bacteria in oral secretions due to changes in the normal flora and side effects of medications2. If not removed by regular oral care, this bacterium will place the older adult patient at greater risk of developing more severe illnesses such as aspiration pneumonia2.
If the basics like oral care are not offered or provided, this can lead to other physical complications3.
Ongoing neglect of oral care will lead to periodontal disease, which can be a direct or contributing cause of4:
Apart from the physical concerns, there is also the potential for a psychosocial impact. For example, a lack of appropriate oral care can cause difficulty in communication. When a person cannot communicate their needs, delay in treatment, depression, and a poor sense of well-being can result. In addition, oral care is a key comfort measure for the person who is bedbound due to severe illness or receiving palliative care. For example, one study on oral hygiene over one year in hospitalized patients showed that incidents of hospital-acquired pneumonia fell by 92% with twice daily oral care4.
Prioritizing Oral Care
As much as we, as nurses, believe that oral care for our patients is our responsibility to ensure, it is often not a top priority. Barriers to oral care in hospitals include lack of awareness, knowledge, time, equipment, and staffing. In addition, the oral examination is often not part of the head-to-toe assessment of our patients. Sometimes it has been noted that nurses find this task particularly unpleasant and may contribute to procrastination. Other times delays are due to confused, combative, or uncooperative patients. Perhaps learning strategies would enable nurses to address this aspect of care more effectively.
Strategies for the patient with complex behaviors:
Oral Assessment
Including an oral cavity examination as part of the head-to-toe assessment at the beginning of our shift is an excellent place to start.
General assessment may include analysis of:
If your institution does not have a resource, there is a Best Practice Guideline entitled "Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance,” with assessment templates.
Suppose your organization does not provide toothbrushes or other proper oral care supplies. In that case, you may go to your manager with evidence-based information about the importance of good oral care and make a supply request (it can't hurt to try). Most often, foam swabs are supplied for oral care to swab and remove particles in the mouth. Still, critical incidents have been documented as a choking hazard when the foam has become dislodged during care provision so it may be too risky to use5. Likewise, glycerine swabs are not advisable as they have been found to erode tooth enamel due to their acidic properties.
Tools for Oral Care
The older adult patient in the hospital with complex health issues is particularly vulnerable. They often depend on nurses to provide complex treatments and the very basics of their care. Oral care is an integral part of primary care that, when neglected, can lead to serious health consequences such as aspiration pneumonia. Prioritizing oral care can provide the comfort needed during stressful hospital admission, prevent severe illness, and reduce the prolonged length of stay.
References
1CDC: Persons with hospital stays in the past year, by selected characteristics: United States, selected years 1997–2018
2Today's Geriatric Medicine: Oral Health and Aspiration Pneumonia
3Journal of Medicine and Life: Potential role of periodontal infection in respiratory diseases - a review
4Reducing missed oral care opportunities to prevent non-ventilator associated hospital acquired pneumonia at the Department of Veterans Affairs
5International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines: Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance
About Kim Valentine, BSN, RN
Kim Valentine, BSN RN, is a registered nurse and freelance health writer with over 30 years of experience in hospital and community health. Her current position is working as a Patient Care Coordinator is a small rural hospital with a passion for improving the health literacy of our communities.
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