Poster Presentation
Thursday, July 12, 2007
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Thursday, July 12, 2007
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Transdisciplinary collaboration in the development of an evidence-based guideline for oral hygiene for adults with special needs
Linda Nusdorfer, RN, BScN, MN, MSICU-Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada, Toba Miller, RN, MScN, MHA, GNC(C, ), Rehabilitation, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada, and Heather McConnell, RN, BScN, MA(Ed), International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Programs, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Toronto, ON, Canada.
| Learning Objective #1: The learner will gain knowledge of the process to create evidence based guideline. |
| Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to describe best practices in oral hygiene.
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The Registered Nurses of Ontario Association (RNAO) focused on developing an Oral Hygiene Best Practice Guideline (BPG) to increase nurses’ awareness of the relationship between oral care and health. An international transdisciplinary panel convened to develop guidelines for adults with special needs. The term “special needs” refers to adults with physical and/or mental limitations. The panel included nurses from across the continuum of care along with oral health professionals (Dentists, Dental Hygienists) and Speech Language Pathologists.
The BPG goal is to enhance nurses’ evidenced based approaches to oral care for adults with special needs. This includes validated and reliable assessment tools, plus standardized practices and policies. A comprehensive literature search identified existing international guidelines, as well as research studies on the topic. A critical appraisal of the guidelines (using the AGREE tool) and the studies, which met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, was conducted to inform the development process.
The Oral Hygiene BPG document highlights a key nursing role in screening and assessment of oral hygiene status, as well as key elements in development and treatment planning. It addresses the importance of education to support the knowledge, skill and attitudes necessary to support evidence – based oral hygiene care. The guideline will be disseminated internationally through various media: on-line access as well as printed publication.
The guideline development process was an opportunity for transdisciplinary collaboration, and has resulted in ongoing partnerships to support dissemination and uptake. This session will highlight the development process, key practice recommendations and the evidence that supports best practice.