A Narrative Review: The Role of Nursing and Physical Therapy in Post-Dental Surgery Rehabilitation—Microbial Risk Management and Sterilization Standards
Abstract
Background: Post-dental surgery rehabilitation, a critical phase for optimal patient recovery, integrates nursing and physical therapy (PT) interventions within environments posing significant microbial risks. Surgical sites are vulnerable to infections, complicating healing and functional restoration. Strict sterilization and infection control protocols are paramount, yet their application and interdisciplinary coordination in rehabilitation contexts require thorough examination.
Aim: This narrative review synthesizes current evidence to elucidate the collaborative roles of nursing and PT in post-dental surgery rehabilitation, with a specific focus on microbial risk management and adherence to sterilization standards to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and promote recovery.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (2010-2024). Peer-reviewed articles, clinical guidelines, and systematic reviews were analyzed thematically.
Results: Nursing is pivotal in direct wound care, patient education, and systemic monitoring for infection, while PT addresses functional impairments, edema, and pain through targeted exercises, both operating within rigorous infection control frameworks. Key challenges include biofilm formation on rehabilitation equipment, inconsistent protocol adherence, and interprofessional communication gaps. Enhanced bundled interventions and standardized sterilization protocols for shared equipment significantly reduce SSI incidence.
Conclusion: Effective post-dental surgery rehabilitation necessitates a tightly integrated, bi-nodal model of care where nursing and PT roles are synergistically aligned under uncompromising infection prevention principles. Future efforts must standardize interdisciplinary protocols and leverage technology for better compliance and patient outcomes.
Full text article
References
Alhumaid, S., Al Mutair, A., Al Alawi, Z., Alsuliman, M., Ahmed, G. Y., Rabaan, A. A., ... & Al-Omari, A. (2021). Knowledge of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers and factors influencing compliance: a systematic review. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 10(1), 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-021-00957-0
Ata-Ali, J., & Ata-Ali, F. (2014). Do antibiotics decrease implant failure and postoperative infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 43(1), 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2013.05.019
Boyce, J. M. (2016). Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 5(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-016-0111-x
Carley, M. E., Chaparro, L. E., Choinière, M., Kehlet, H., Moore, R. A., Van Den Kerkhof, E., & Gilron, I. (2021). Pharmacotherapy for the prevention of chronic pain after surgery in adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Anesthesiology, 135(2), 304-325. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000003837
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. Updated May 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html
Curtis, D. A., Lin, G. H., Rajendran, Y., Gessese, T., Suryadevara, J., & Kapila, Y. L. (2021). Treatment planning considerations in the older adult with periodontal disease. Periodontology 2000, 87(1), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12383
da Silva, M. T., Silva, C., Silva, J., Costa, M., Gadotti, I., & Ribeiro, K. (2023). Effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for temporomandibular disorders associated with tinnitus: a systematic review. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(13), 4329. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134329
Donskey, C. J. (2019). Beyond high-touch surfaces: Portable equipment and floors as potential sources of transmission of health care–associated pathogens. American Journal of Infection Control, 47, A90-A95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.03.017
Ehrlich, C., Lewis, D., New, A., Jones, S., & Grealish, L. (2022). Exploring the role of nurses in inpatient rehabilitation care teams: A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 128, 104134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104134
Faravel, K., Jarlier, M., Senesse, P., Huteau, M. E., Janiszewski, C., Stoebner, A., & Boisselier, P. (2023). Trismus occurrence and link with radiotherapy doses in head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 22, 15347354221147283. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354221147283
Foley, D., Bucholc, M., Parlour, R., McIntyre, C., & Johnston, A. (2022). Surgical Site infection Wound Bundles should become routine in colorectal surgery: a Meta-analysis. J Surg, 7, 1465. www.doi.org/10.29011/2575-9760.001465
Høiby, N., Bjarnsholt, T., Moser, C., Bassi, G. L., Coenye, T., Donelli, G., ... & Zimmerli, C. E. E. W. (2015). ESCMID guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of biofilm infections 2014. Clinical microbiology and infection, 21, S1-S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2014.10.024
Ju, W., Ren, L., Chen, J., & Du, Y. (2019). Efficacy of relaxation therapy as an effective nursing intervention for post-operative pain relief in patients undergoing abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 18(4), 2909-2916. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7915
Khairnar, M. R., Dodamani, A. S., Karibasappa, G. N., Naik, R. G., & Deshmukh, M. A. (2015). Knowledge, attitude and behavior towards preventive dentistry among health care students in Dhule city. Nursing, 25(20.9), 1-1.
Kulesa-Mrowiecka, M., Piech, J., & Gaździk, T. S. (2021). The effectiveness of physical therapy in patients with generalized joint hypermobility and concurrent temporomandibular disorders—a cross-sectional study. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(17), 3808. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173808
Lazarin, R., & Chappuis, V. (2019). Management of odontogenic infections: indications for antibiotics. Management of dental emergencies in children and adolescents, 23-34. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119372684.ch1.3
Luyt, C. E., Bréchot, N., Trouillet, J. L., & Chastre, J. (2014). Antibiotic stewardship in the intensive care unit. Critical care, 18(5), 480. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-014-0480-6
Martins, M. A. T., Martins, M. D., Lascala, C. A., Curi, M. M., Migliorati, C. A., Tenis, C. A., & Marques, M. M. (2012). Association of laser phototherapy with PRP improves healing of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in cancer patients: a preliminary study. Oral oncology, 48(1), 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.08.010
Meesters, K., & Buonsenso, D. (2024). Antimicrobial stewardship in pediatric emergency medicine: a narrative exploration of antibiotic overprescribing, stewardship interventions, and performance metrics. Children, 11(3), 276. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11030276
Mendes, D. I. A., Ferrito, C. R. D. A. C., & Gonçalves, M. I. R. (2018). Nursing interventions in the enhanced recovery after surgery®: scoping review. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 71(suppl 6), 2824-2832. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0436
Müller, M., Jürgens, J., Redaèlli, M., Klingberg, K., Hautz, W. E., & Stock, S. (2018). Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review. BMJ open, 8(8), e022202. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022202
Paxino, J., Denniston, C., Woodward-Kron, R., & Molloy, E. (2022). Communication in interprofessional rehabilitation teams: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(13), 3253-3269. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1836271
Rutala, W. A., & Weber, D. J. (2019). Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. update: May 2019.
Ruiz-Ramos, J., Escolà-Vergé, L., Monje-López, Á. E., Herrera-Mateo, S., & Rivera, A. (2023). The interventions and challenges of antimicrobial stewardship in the emergency department. Antibiotics, 12(10), 1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12101522
Saint, S., Greene, M. T., Krein, S. L., Rogers, M. A., Ratz, D., Fowler, K. E., ... & Fakih, M. G. (2016). A program to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection in acute care. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(22), 2111-2119. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1504906
Sánchez, F. R., Andrés, C. R., & Arteagoitia, I. (2018). Which antibiotic regimen prevents implant failure or infection after dental implant surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 46(4), 722-736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2018.02.004
Schmidt, J., Kunderova, M., Pilbauerova, N., & Kapitan, M. (2021). A review of evidence-based recommendations for pericoronitis management and a systematic review of antibiotic prescribing for pericoronitis among dentists: inappropriate pericoronitis treatment is a critical factor of antibiotic overuse in dentistry. International Journal of environmental research and public health, 18(13), 6796. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136796
Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., & Chiarello, L. (2023). 2007 Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. Last update: July 2023.
STEWARdShIP, A. (2018). Role of the pharmacist in antimicrobial stewardship. STAY FOCUSED AMONG THE DISTRACTIONS., 26.
van der Meer, H. A., Calixtre, L. B., Engelbert, R. H., Visscher, C. M., Nijhuis–van der Sanden, M. W., & Speksnijder, C. M. (2020). Effects of physical therapy for temporomandibular disorders on headache pain intensity: A systematic review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 50, 102277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102277
Verbeek, J. H., Rajamaki, B., Ijaz, S., Sauni, R., Toomey, E., Blackwood, B., ... & Balci, F. S. K. (2020). Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011621.pub4
World Health Organization. (2019). Minimum requirements for infection prevention and control programmes.
Zywot, A., Lau, C. S., Fletcher, H. S., & Paul, S. (2017). Bundles prevent surgical site infections after colorectal surgery: meta-analysis and systematic review. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 21(11), 1915-1930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-017-3465-3
Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Ahmed Saleh Alghamdi, Fatimah Hadi Ahmed Asiri, Youssef Mohammed Hammed Aljohani, Talal Abdulrahman Ayed Alharb, Mohammed Halal Almutairi, Abdulaziz Khalif Al-Mutairi, Nada Muhammed Ahmed Albarqi, Ali Hassan Alnakhli, Emad Ali Muhsin Alattas, Kawther Mohsen Rizq Alkathere, Wedad Mohammed Ali Abushusha, Amani Ali Salem Alshreef
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.