Survey on oral care of terminally ill cancer patients in our hospital
10.2512/jspm.9.306
- VernacularTitle:当院看護師における終末期がん患者の口腔ケアに対する意識調査
- Author:
Masako Ogawa
;
Masaru Sakusabe
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
terminally ill cancer patient;
oral care;
general ward
- From:Palliative Care Research
2014;9(4):306-311
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Purpose: Patients with end-stage cancer are prone to various problems in their oral mouth. Survey of nurses’ attitudes regarding oral care in our cancer base hospital was conducted and discussed. Method: 197 nurses working with terminally ill cancer patients in the hospital were involved in the questionnaire survey. Results: 159 nurses completed the questionnaire (81%). 153 nurses responded that oral care was necessary for end-of-life stage (96%) but only 29 nurses responded that adequate oral care was provided (18%). Conclusion: The results showed that the nurses acknowledged of importance of oral care at end-of-life stage but didn’t provide the adequate oral care. The survey found that requesting oral care and relief of symptoms as supportive care are lacking of cooperation with the Dentists. How to share information and work with out-of-hospital dentists will be a challenge in the future.