National oral hygiene scheme launched
Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has launched an oral health care improvement programme for the whole of Wales.
It's based on a scheme that's been running in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board area, which aims to improve the quality and safety of mouth care for adult patients in hospital.
– Ros Davies, Oral Health Promotion OfficerMouth care is a vital part of nursing practice and there is lots of evidence that links poor oral hygiene with reduced quality of life, a longer stay in hospital and an increased risk of hospital-acquired infections, particularly respiratory diseases.
The mouth care package, which includes best practice guidelines and care plans, was tested on a number of wards across the ABM health board before being finalised.