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Description
The need for good oral care continues throughout the lifespan. Oral diseases can cause pain, discomfort, difficulties chewing and swallowing, and are also associated with heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and stroke. The need for good oral health is evident, as it leads to increase comfort for the resident, increased quality of life, self-confidence, and better overall health and well-being (Government of Canada, 2023).
In our eight municipally run LTCHs, oral care has not been at the forefront for prioritization of care among frontline staff. An average of only 51% of residents across all eight LTCHs receive oral care at least twice daily from quarter one of 2024.
A working group was formed to gain insight into different ways to combat this issue. Quality improvement advisors, clinical practice managers, clinical documentation and informatics leads and supervisors, nurse practitioners, BPG champions, and IPAC program managers were tasked to develop a plan to improve oral care in our LTCHs.
Infection control assessments were updated to include a task list when a final assessment was completed for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, to remind registered staff, to replace toothbrushes following infection. Each quarter, toothbrushes are replaced by PSW staff during RAI-MDS roll-out. Contracted dental hygiene services were contacted to assist with education to frontline staff on the importance of oral hygiene and how to assess for oral health concerns.
As of now, we cannot definitively say there has been or has not been an improvement in oral care in our LTCHs. We aim to see an increase in overall compliance with providing oral care at least twice daily, and overall satisfaction with oral health from residents and their chosen families.
Keywords
oral health, BPG, long-term care
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is this work related to:
Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance (Second Edition)
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Laura Matthews, Manager Clinical Practice, MPH, BScN, RN, CIC®, LTC-CIP®
Alexis Lamsen, Manager Clinical Practice, RN, MScN, GNC © IIWCC
| Organization Name | Niagara Region |
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