Creative Case

The title

This makes it clear to the reader what the article is about and that the content is evidence based.

Authors

There are three authors working in collaboration. One is a practitioner working with stroke suffers, one is a research fellow and the third has a combined education/practitioner role. They are all working in the Manchester area and linked to Manchester University. Between them they have expertise in research and stroke care which makes them credible authors of such a report. Tim Twelvetree has previous publications relating to the use of research in practice rather than specific nursing interventions. Unable to find any previous research for either of the other two authors.

Key words

Keywords are provided, linked to the British Nursing Index, though it is unclear how helpful these might be to someone wanting to conduct a further search. Other alternatives might include mouth hygiene, mouth care.

Summary

The summary is brief but covers the essential elements of the work. It is helpful in judging if the article is relevant to the reader.

Introduction

This tells the reader there is a 'consensus' about the importance of oral hygiene but doesn't provide any references to support this in the opening paragraph. This is followed up by some supporting literature including Essence of Care (DH 2001) - this reference is out of date as EoC has been updated more recently - 2010 and mouth hygiene is covered under 'personal hygiene'. The use of a 'Box 2' is helpful as it makes the information very accessible. However, the authors fail to pick up that this guidance tells practitioners what to do, but not how it should be done. For example, it says there should be an assessment of oral hygiene, but not how that should be carried out - no mention of a valid and reliable assessment tool, so it has its limits.

Oral hygiene practices

This suggests that oral hygiene is activity that has low status; is poorly taught in pre-registration programmes; nurses dislike doing it; there is no valid and reliable assessment tool; predominantly carried out by support workers and there are can be a lack of resources like