Oral Care in Nursing Practice for People with Hematological Malignancies during Chemotherapy in Japan

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose：To present the findings of a survey that examined oral care in nursing practice for people with hematological malignancies during chemotherapy in Japan.

METHODS：A cross-sectional designed survey was undertaken. The questionnaires were sent to chief and staff nurses working in hematological units of 497 hospitals certified by The Japanese Society of Hematology. The data collected were from 172 chief nurses and 1,735 staff nurses in the hematological units.

RESULTS：Of the responding staff nurses （n＝1,735）, 78.6％ reported using povidone iodine to prevent oral mucositis yet, the Cochrane report says gargling with povidone iodine is not effective. On the other hand, only 13.0％ reported using cryotherapy, which is recommended by the Cochrane reports to prevent oral mucositis. The numbers of the nurses using povidone iodine in the hospitals that have Certified Oncology Nurse Specialists were significantly lower （p＜0.05） than the nurses in the hospitals that did not have Certified Oncology Nurse Specialists/Certified Nurses. Initiating oral observation after the onset （as opposed to prevention） were 7.6％ of the nurses in the hospitals that have Certified Oncology Nurse Specialists, compared with a significant number 16.4％（p＜0.05） of nurses in the hospitals that did not have Certified Oncology Nurse Specialists/Certified Nurses.

CONCLUSIONS：According to the results of this research, the latest information on oral care for people with hematological malignancies during chemotherapy is needed in Japan. In addition, this research shows that Certified Oncology Nurse Specialists take on an important role in improving oral care for people.