CRITICAL CARE NURSES KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING WEANING OF PATIENTS FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Background: Many patients require admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As many as 30% of admissions, and 90% of all critically ill patients will require at least a short period of MV. There are many risks and complications associated with prolonged MV. To minimize these risks and complications it is important that patients be weaned and extubated from MV at the earliest possible time. However, just as delayed weaning and extubation carries the risk of complications, premature extubation and subsequent re- intubation should be avoided where possible,. Weaning is the transition from ventilatory support to spontaneous breathing and can often be achieved easily, but may be difficult in up to 25% of patients. Numerous studies have shown the benefit of know level of critical care nurses knowledge and practices regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation, for effective participation in weaning process and decreasing MV days and costs. Aim of this study: The aim of this study is to assess the critical care nurses knowledge and practices regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. Research design: A descriptive design was utilized in this study . Sample: A Convenience sample of that including 50 ICU nurses was recruited in the current study . Setting: The study was conducted at the Intensive Care Units at Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University. Tools of data collection: Two tools were utilized, tested for clarity and viability, and then used to collect data pertinent to the current: Tool I: Structure interviewer questionnaire to assess critical care nurses knowledge regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. Tool II: Critical Care Nurses practices Observational check list regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. Results: The current study revealed that, approximately two-third (67%) of the studied sample had unsatisfactory knowledge level (< 75%) with a mean total knowledge score of (43.8± 7.9). As well as, majority of studied sample (97%) had unsatisfactory performance level (< 75%) with a mean total performance score of (59.6± 5.7).Negative correlation between mean knowledge scores and mean practice scores; (r = 0.1 at p = 0.5).Conclusion: Based on the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that Critical care nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge and practices score regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. Recommendations: Provide nurses with continuous educational programs with evidence based guidelines to improve their knowledge and practices regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation, Follow up nurses' practices in relation mechanical ventilation weaning, Provide nurses with periodic sessions to improve their practices regarding weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation, Establish collaborative interaction between nurses and other health team members as they are working in a multi-disciplinary system to improve the health services provided to patients with mechanical ventilation.