Perceptions, barriers, and challenges of oral care among nursing assistants in the intensive care unit: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although oral hygiene is closely related to various diseases, it is sub-optimal in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Oral care in the ICU is challenged by nursing workloads, low staffing, and higher acuity patients, there are few policies and written guidelines for oral care. Nurses often delegate oral care to nursing assistants (NAs) whose role is overlooked. This study is to explore the perspectives, obstacles, and challenges of NAs in the oral care of the ICU.

Methods

A qualitative study and semi-structured interviews were conducted with NAs in three ICU units, and Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used to analyze the records.

Results

Initially, 13 NAs met the inclusion criteria, and two did not participate in this study as they refused to be recorded.

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10868102 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature