Introduction: Delivering mouth hygiene to stroke patients poses appreciable challenges due to their physical and cognitive impairments, yet specific protocols or training for stroke unit staff is lacking. We developed a mouth care intervention specifically for patients with stroke comprising1) a chlorhexidine-based mouth care protocol with powered brushing anddenture care 2) a competency based training programme, including web-based modules and small group hands-on practical skills, for staff on the Acute Stroke and Stroke Rehabilitation Units to deliver the intervention within a stroke unit setting. We undertook a pilot evaluation of both the training programme and mouth care protocol. Method: An exploratory qualitative approach using 1) n = 7 semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of patients and carers, to explore their experiences of the mouth care intervention and 2) 3 focus groups (n = 12) with a purposive sample of Acute and Stroke Rehabilitation staff to assess the educational preparation, feasibility and safety of delivering the mouth care intervention. Thematic analysis was carried out to identify key themes using NVivo9 to manage the data. Results: The emerging themes identified are 1) mouth care experience, 2) feasibility and acceptability, 3) education and training and 4) organisation and management. Discussion: The study suggests that the mouth care intervention was 1) feasible and safe to be delivered in both acute and rehabilitation stroke settings, 2) acceptable to patients and their carers, and 3) the education and training programme adequately prepared and supported staff to undertake mouth care for stroke patients.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)