Document Type
DNP - Open Access
Award Date
2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Graduate Nursing
First Advisor
Brandi Pravecek
Abstract
Background: The concept of shared governance in nursing encompasses shared decision-making between leaders and bedside nurses, which includes areas of evidencebased practice projects and nursing research. Using shared governance as a way of implementing desired change can positively impact patient outcomes.
Local Problem: The inpatient med-surg unit at a small rural hospital was below the facility’s threshold for the documentation of oral care. Current standards require oral care to be performed and documented two times during a 24-hour period for each admitted patient 90% of the time. The unit currently documents oral care at a rate of 35%.
Methods: A structured process using shared governance was implemented. The unit change champions and participants in the shared governance process utilized the A3 action plan. Shared governance participants addressed current barriers and implemented change on the unit.
Results: A two-sample test for equality of proportions with continuity correction, Chisquare, was conducted to compare the proportion of individuals in each measured category before and after the intervention. Statistically significant improvements were made in the categories of patients receiving two instances of oral care, one instance of oral care, and no instances of oral care.
Conclusion: The implementation of a shared governance process was effective at bringing about the desired change of an increased percentage of the documentation of oral care on the med-surg unit as compared to the previous method of top-down leadership directives.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © Angela G. Arseneau
Recommended Citation
Arseneau, Angela G., "Using Shared Governance to Improve Oral Care Documentation in the Inpatient Setting" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects. 217.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/con_dnp/217