Nurses' attitudes and experiences on oral hygiene measures in hospitalized patients

Cilj istraživanja: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je procijeniti stavove i iskustva medicinskih sestara o mjerama provođenja oralne higijene u hospitaliziranih pacijenata. Materijali i metode: Intervjui su provedeni u svrhu istraživanja za izradu diplomskog rada. Vođeni su od strane E.K., ženske osobe i studentice 6. godine dentalne medicine te od asistentice na fakultetu i liječnice. Intervjui su provedeni preko internetske platforme Zoom, uključujući audio i video zapis. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 7 ispitanika. Samo trajanje intervjua variralo je između 15 i 45 minuta. Rezultati: U provedenom istraživanju ispitanici su govorili o postojanju svijesti o važnosti oralne higijene. Naime, kod ispitanika uočena je percepcija važnosti oralne higijene. Govoreći o protokolima za provođenje oralne higijene kod hospitaliziranih bolesnika, uočeno je znanje o postojanju istih, ali i nedostatak znanja kod određenih ispitanika. Prijašnja edukacija, u vidu spominjanja važnosti provođenja OH tokom školovanja, nije na zavidnom nivou. Nedostatak materijala, vremena i osoblja predstavlja veliki problem i izazov većini ispitanika. Većina ispitanika zbrinjava mobilne proteze prilikom njege hospitaiziranog pacijenta. Zaključak: Na temelju prikupljenih informacije, ustanovljeno je da u svih ispitivanih medicinskih sestara postoje stavovi o važnosti oralne higijene u hospitaliziranih pacijenata. Također da postoji praksa provođenja oralne higijene različitim materijalima, metodama, opremom i frekvencijom u hospitaliziranih pacijenata. Uočeno je da postoje prepreke u implementaciji oralne higijene u skladu s dostupnim smjernicama, prvenstveno u vidu manjka vremena, osoblja i opreme. Također istraživani su i čimbenici koji bi mogli pomoći u provedbi odgovarajuće oralne higijene, primarno u vidu poboljšanje edukacije te novih smjernica i protokola kako bi se njega bolesnika dovela na veći nivo.The aim of the research: The aim of this research was to evaluate the attitudes and experiences of nurses regarding measures of oral hygiene in hospitalized patients. Materials and methods: The interviews were conducted for the purpose of research for the preparation of a diploma thesis. They were led by E.K., a female student in her 6th year of dental medicine, and by a faculty assistant and a doctor. The interviews were conducted via the internet platform Zoom, including audio and video recordings. 7 respondents participated in the research. The duration of the interview itself varied between 15 and 45 minutes. Results: In the conducted research, respondents spoke about the existence of awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. Namely, the respondents perceived the importance of oral hygiene. Speaking about the protocols for performing oral hygiene in hospitalized patients, knowledge of their existence, but also a lack of knowledge among certain respondents, was observed. Previous education, in the form of mention of the importance of implementing OH during schooling, is not at an enviable level. The lack of materials, time and personnel is a big problem and challenge for most respondents. Most respondents take care of mobile prostheses when caring for a hospitalized patient. Conclusion: Based on the collected information, it was established that all the examined nurses have opinions about the importance of oral hygiene in hospitalized patients. Also that there is a practice of conducting oral hygiene with different materials, methods, equipment and frequency in hospitalized patients. It was observed that there are obstacles in the implementation of oral hygiene in accordance with the available guidelines, primarily in the form of a lack of time, personnel and equipment. Factors that could help in the implementation of adequate oral hygiene were also investigated, primarily in terms of improving education and new guidelines and protocols in order to bring patient care to a higher level