Background: Individuals who have experienced a stroke often face heightened susceptibility to inadequate oral hygiene due to neurological impairments and encompassing motor, sensory, and cognitive challenges. Symptoms such as facial weakness, diminished tongue function, and altered taste perception can lead to difficulties in chewing, food retention within the mouth, and challenges in managing food accumulation in the oral cavity.
Objectives: Increase compliance with oral hygiene practice in stroke patients based on the best available evidence.
Methods: The quality enhancement initiative employed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework for evidence implementation, encompassing stages involving audit, feedback, and re-audit. Four specific evidence criteria were utilized in this process.
Results: Three obstacles were identified, and collaborative strategies and resources were devised to address them. The implementation of the project led to enhanced adherence, with a 40.0% improvement observed for criterion 2 and a 36.67% increase for criteria 3 and 4. However, compliance for criterion 1 remained at 0.0%, as it was only assessed during the initial audit, and nurse training occurred after audit 2. This underscores the team's commitment and involvement in implementing evidence-based clinical approaches.
Conclusions: Adherence to optimal practices was attained through reliance on the most current evidence. This is essential to uphold the efficacy, safety, and efficiency of nursing care administered to these individuals. Initiating projects implementing the most reliable proof enhances nursing protocols concerning oral hygiene for stroke patients. This endeavor advanced patient safety and oral hygiene practices among stroke patients. Employing a strategy founded on the JBI evidence criteria proves highly effective in fostering training and critical analysis of implemented practices.

Keywords
oral hygiene; patient safety; stroke; nursing care; rehabilitation nursing