HGMH Pilots New Oral Care Protocol to Improve Stroke Recovery

In recognition of Oral Health Month this April, Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH) is piloting a new evidence-informed oral and denture care protocol for stroke patients, aimed at improving recovery and reducing complications.

The initiative, developed by The Ottawa Hospital and supported through The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization (TOHAMO), is being implemented across HGMH’s inpatient medicine and rehabilitation units as part of a regional quality improvement effort.

“This work reflects the commitment of our teams to advancing evidence-informed care in a way that directly benefits patients,” said Robert Alldred-Hughes, President and CEO of Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital. “By standardizing oral and denture care practices, we’re improving patient safety, supporting recovery, and ensuring care is delivered with dignity and consistency.”

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Canada, and many patients experience difficulty with swallowing and oral hygiene following a stroke. Without proper care, this can increase the risk of serious complications.

The new protocol introduces routine oral assessments, standardized oral hygiene and denture care practices, and targeted staff education to support safe care for patients with swallowing challenges.

“At the clinical level, this is about bringing best practice into everyday care,” said Rachel Romany, Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at HGMH. “Our teams are building the knowledge and confidence to deliver oral care safely and consistently, which has a direct impact on patient outcomes.”

Implementation at HGMH has included staff eLearning, knowledge validation, and hands-on training. HGMH has supported three staff members to attend specialized training earlier this year with a dentist and a stroke speech-language pathologist from The Ottawa Hospital and are now supporting bedside education for frontline teams.

“This initiative is a great example of how small, focused improvements can make a meaningful difference for patients,” said Lauren Hume, Manager of Ambulatory Care and Rehabilitation Services. “We’re strengthening how we support recovery by ensuring oral care is integrated into the overall plan of care, not treated as an afterthought.”

HGMH is one of the only small hospitals participating in the pilot across Eastern Ontario. The hospital will provide meaningful feedback on what went well and what can be improved. The program will be evaluated over the coming months to assess its impact on patient outcomes and care practices, with the potential for broader implementation.

‍