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Survey of oral nursing care attitudes, knowledge and practices in a neuro-rehabilitation setting.

OBJECTIVE: The provision of oral care is an important fundamental nursing activity. The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge on nursing-care professionals' attitude, belief, knowledge and practice towards oral care in a neuro-rehabilitation setting.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Nursing-care professionals (n=260, response rate: 60%) at neuro-rehabilitation hospital took part in cross-sectional web-based 59-items survey.

MAIN MEASURES: Attitudes were cross-tabulated and compared using Fischers exact test. Oral care product frequencies were compared between patients with/without eating difficulties using McNemars test.

RESULTS: Most professionals agreed that oral health impacts general health (93%) and poor oral health can cause pneumonia (85%). 41% professionals found it difficult to clean the oral cavity and 12% found it unpleasant. 40% indicated that time allocated for oral hygiene was insufficient, 27% indicated a need for broader range of oral care supplies and >80% would like continuing oral care education. Manual tooth brush and toothpaste were used more than once per shift by >75% in all patients. Swabs, premixed mouth rinse, carbonated water and lip moisturiser were more frequently used in patients with eating difficulties compared to with no eating difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral care is perceived as an essential component of care in neuro-rehabilitation. However, Professionals indicated lack of time, need for better supplies and oral care training. The differentiated use of oral care products shows that professionals were aware that patients with eating difficulties have different requirements, however some oral care practices were inappropriate. The results should be considered while designing oral care guidelines and training. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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