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Implementation of a hospital oral care protocol and recording of oral mucositis in children receiving cancer treatment

A retrospective and a prospective study

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Abstract

Purpose

This retrospective/prospective study was carried out to implement a standardized hospital oral care protocol and record the incidence of oral mucositis for inpatients with childhood cancer.

Methods

The implementation process included stages of collaboration, consultation, education, and evaluation. The retrospective part of the study documented the existing hospital oral care protocol and audited medical records of all pediatric patients diagnosed with cancer over a 12-month period. The frequency of recorded oral mucositis and the rate of referral to the pediatric dentistry department were assessed. Following evaluation of the retrospective study, the literature was searched to create a new hospital oral care protocol. Referral to the dental department was standardized and frequent in-service presentations were given to staff. The oral mucositis scale was recorded daily for all inpatients, and compliance rates were assessed.

Results

Fifty-nine patients’ medical records were audited during the retrospective study. Oral mucositis prevalence was clearly documented at 34%, while an additional 20% lacked a definitive diagnosis. During the prospective study, 38 patients were followed and had a verified incidence of oral mucositis of 33%. The rate of compliance of implementing the oral mucositis scale improved from 41% during the first 4 months to 87% during last 3 months. Referral rates to the dental department increased from 53% during the retrospective study to 100% during the prospective study.

Conclusions

Mutual understanding and collaboration between the oncology and dental departments in hospitals is crucial for standardizing patient care and for improving oral care standards.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are greatly thankful to the oncology department’s nursing and medical staff for their support and patience during the implementation process. Special thanks to Kate Turpin from Brookman ward at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for her great collaboration throughout the study period.

Conflict of interest

None declared by all authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Akram F. Qutob

  2. School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Akram F. Qutob, Sumant Gue & Richard M. Logan

  3. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia

    Akram F. Qutob, Gabrielle Allen & Sumant Gue

  4. Department of Clinical Haematology/Oncology, SA Pathology at Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia

    Tamas Revesz

  5. School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Frome Rd, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Dorothy Keefe

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  1. Akram F. Qutob
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  2. Gabrielle Allen
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  3. Sumant Gue
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  4. Tamas Revesz
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  5. Richard M. Logan
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Correspondence to Akram F. Qutob.

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Qutob, A.F., Allen, G., Gue, S. et al. Implementation of a hospital oral care protocol and recording of oral mucositis in children receiving cancer treatment. Support Care Cancer 21, 1113–1120 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1633-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1633-2

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