Implementation of a structured oral hygiene program through nursing assistant education to address non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia: A quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV HAP) is a common complication for hospitalized patients. NV HAP develops when patients aspirate oral secretions containing pathogenic bacteria. Appropriate oral hygiene can help mitigate NV HAP development. Hospital staff, including nursing assistants, play an important role in ensuring that these cares are completed.

Design: A quasi-experimental pre-post design was used to evaluate outcomes before and after implementation of a structured oral hygiene education program.

Methods: A structured oral hygiene program was developed and implemented in a large quaternary hospital. Change in NA knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors before and after implementation of the oral hygiene program was evaluated. Retrospective patient outcomes before and after the intervention were analyzed to detect changes in NV HAP rates.

Results: Following the education, nursing assistant knowledge of recommended frequency of oral care for patients who are NPO increased (67.2% vs. 82.1%, p = 0.003). NAs were more likely to report oral hygiene tools including oral suctioning (80.8% vs. 90.2%, p = 0.005) and toothbrushes (89.3% vs. 95.3%, p = 0.031). The unadjusted incidence of NV HAP was significantly lower in the post-intervention cohort (0.25%) compared to the pre-intervention cohort (0.74%), p < 0.001. In the adjusted model, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation increased the odds of NV HAP by nearly sevenfold (AOR = 6.88, 95% CI: 3.99, 11.39).

Conclusion: Focused education for NAs is an effective strategy to increase knowledge related to oral hygiene. Implementing a structured oral hygiene program for NAs appears to be a promising practice to decrease NV HAP.