Update: The following paper has now been accepted to the journal ‘Applied Nursing Research’ on 22nd October 2015.
Hilton, S., Sheppard, J. J., & Hemsley, B. (Accepted 22 Oct 2015) Feasibility of Implementing Oral Health Guidelines in Residential Care Settings: Views of Nursing Staff and Residential Care Workers. Applied Nursing Research.
The findings are also displayed graphically here, the poster presented at the Speech Pathology National Conference, 2015
Hilton, S., Hemsley, B., & Sheppard, J.J. (2015). Improving oral care in residential care settings: Nurses views on barriers and facilitators to implementing best practice guidelines. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Canberra.
Click on the poster to download a full version
Oral health care practices impact upon oral health, patient safety, and safety of residents in long term residential care settings – particularly those who are dependent upon others to eat or drink or to access oral care. Ms Shaylee Hilton (Graded Honours, Speech Pathology Honours Program, The University of Newcastle, Australia) under the supervision of A/Prof Bronwyn Hemsley and Prof. Justine Joan Sheppard, Columbia University New York USA. Completed this project in 2014, awarded University Medal, Faculty Medal, and First Class Honours upon Graduation (among other awards). Congratulations Shaylee, and thank you to all of the nurses who gave most generously of their time in completing the survey. A journal article based on this research is in review and details of its publication will be posted when available. Previous information provided in 2014 (now redundant).
ABOUT THIS SURVEY: This survey is for staff who have worked in Aged Care or Long Stay Care Facilities (i.e., Nursing Homes, Disability Group Homes, Large Residential Settings, Skilled Nursing Facility, Care Home etc) in any country. Long term care residents with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) who are dependent for oral care are at great risk of, and often exhibit, poor oral health. Poor oral health is a causal factor in the development of aspiration pneumonia in older patients. Despite discrepancies between existing oral care guidelines and recommendations concerning best practice in oral care, good oral care helps to prevent aspiration pneumonia in some residents. However, the extent to which the established best practice guidelines and recommendations for oral care are feasible for implementation, in busy long term care settings, is not known. We are interested in the feasibility of existing oral care guidelines and what barriers and facilitators to better oral care can be addressed to improve oral care in residential settings. You are invited to participate in this study because we are interested in your experiences and view on routine oral care in residential care settings, for residents who are dependent for oral care. This survey will help us to identify the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of existing oral care guidelines in residential care settings. This research is being conducted in 2014 by Ms Shaylee Hilton (Honours student, The University of Newcastle), under the supervision of Dr. Bronwyn Hemsley (University of Newcastle) (email bronwyn.hemsley@newcastle.edu.au) under ethical approval of the University of Newcastle (reference number, H-2014-0140). Data will be stored securely on password protected servers at The University of Newcastle and will be deleted from Survey Monkey at the completion of the data collection period (May-August 2014). Results of the survey will be published in peer reviewed journal articles and the Honours Thesis of Shaylee Hilton. A summary of the findings will be provided on the blog of Dr. Bronwyn Hemsley http://www.safetycatchproject.net . There are no foreseeable risks or benefits to you by participating in this research. It is not possible to withdraw from the research after participating. Should you have any concerns about your rights as a participant in this research, or you have a complaint about the manner in which the research is conducted, you may contact the Chief Investigator directly (Bronwyn.hemsley@newcastle.edu.au) or the Ethics Committee (Human-Ethics@newcastle.edu.au) INSTRUCTIONS: This survey will take 15 – 20 minutes to complete. It is only for people with any level of nursing training (Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, Enrolled Nurse, Nurse, Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Manager, Practice Nurse, Nurse Practitioner) and assistant care staff (e.g., Direct Support Workers, Paid Carers) who have worked in residential settings of any kind in the past twelve months. If you wish to take part, please answer all of the 27 questions. Participation in this survey is voluntary (you do not have to take part). If you decide to take part, your responses will be kept completely confidential. If you wish to take part, continue with the survey. Your participation will be taken as implied consent that you are agreeing for us to use your responses as data in our research. We will not include any data that identifies you or other parties. If you do not wish to take part, please do not complete the survey. The survey is for nurses of any qualification role or level, and their assistants including direct support workers or paid carers. If you do not meet this inclusion criteria please do not take part. If you consent to your responses being included in our research, please click ‘next’ and answer the questions. Thank you for your time in considering participation in this research.
Communication Disability, Safety, and Digital Health Research 
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