Intensive care nurses’ perspectives on barriers to oral care practices in non-ventilated patients in adult Australian intensive care units: A qualitative descriptive study

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Abstract

Introduction: Optimal oral care help to prevent non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia and helps to provide patient comfort. However, few studies have explored nurses’ oral care practices in non-ventilated patients in intensive care.
Objective: To explore intensive care nurses’ beliefs, practices and barriers to providing oral care for non-ventilated patients.
Methods: A descriptive qualitative study of intensive care nurses working in Australia. Maximum variation sampling approach was used to ensure diversity in nurse position, nurse education, geography, level of intensive care units and funding model of intensive care units. Ten individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken between May and September 2023. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.
Results: Five major themes were inductively identified from eleven subthemes: i) prioritisation of patient condition and care ii) inadequate use of evidence to underpin practice iii) inadequate staffing and equipment iv) inadequate educational opportunities v) inadequate feedback and reminders on non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia incidences and prevention strategies.
Conclusions: The identified barriers to prevention of non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia incidences might threaten patient safety in intensive care units. The participants reported need for surveillance and education on non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia incidences and its prevention. The barriers faced by nurses could be addressed by a review of policies or establishment of guidelines to prevent non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia to optimise quality patient care and reduce risk of complications in critically ill patients in intensive care units.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)s13
Number of pages1
JournalAustralian Critical Care
Volume37
Issue numberS1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 - Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
Duration: 10 Apr 202412 Apr 2024
https://www.anzics.org/events/anzics-acccn-intensive-care-asm-2024/
https://www.australiancriticalcare.com/issue/S1036-7314(24)X0006-5

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