Keywords

oral care, nursing education, hospital hygiene, patient outcomes, quality improvement

Abstract

Introduction: Poor oral hygiene contributes to systemic health issues and reduced quality of life. Despite its significance, oral care is often neglected in hospital settings due to time constraints, lack of supplies, and inadequate training. Nurses play a crucial role in patient oral care, yet many feel unprepared due to gaps in education and institutional support. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase the knowledge of oral care practices among healthcare providers at Sušice City Hospital by leveraging targeted educational programs. The project sought to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to prioritize and effectively implement oral care routines for patients.

Methods: A pre-post education quality improvement project was conducted with 20 nurses from Sušice City Hospital. Participants completed a pre-education survey assessing their oral care knowledge and practices, attended an educational session, and then completed a post-education survey. The intervention aimed to measure improvements in knowledge and the perceived importance of oral care.

Results: Post-education, more nurses recognized the necessity of daily oral care (pre=9, post=15) and its role in preventing conditions like pneumonia, osteoporosis, and kidney disease. Barriers such as time constraints and supply shortages were noted. Participants suggested implementing visual aids and structured reminders to motivate patient adherence to oral care routines.

Discussion: The intervention improved nursing staff’s knowledge and awareness of oral care, though practical barriers remained. Future efforts should focus on sustainable training programs and institutional policy changes to reinforce oral hygiene as a critical aspect of patient care.