Nurse's views, perceptions and knowledge on weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a lifesaving treatment and a core practice in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, it is associated with well-documented complications that have a major influence on patient’s... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a lifesaving treatment and a core practice in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, it is associated with well-documented complications that have a major influence on patient’s morbidity and mortality. It is vital to identify the earliest, safest and most appropriate opportunity to stop mechanical ventilation, when indicated

Aims & objectives: The aim of the study is to explore nurses’ views, perceptions, and knowledge of weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation in the Irish ICU setting. The study explores the experiences of nurses regarding weaning from mechanical ventilation and also investigates how nurse’s knowledge and experience affect nurse’s practices with regard to weaning patients

Methodology: Qualitative descriptive study was utilised to explore nurse’s knowledge, views and perceptions on weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews which were audiotaped for post-interview analysis .The data was analysed using a thematic content analysis framework (Burnard 1991). Ethical approval for the study was granted.

Findings: Nurses’ knowledge and experience has an important role in successful patient weaning. Protocol-based nurse-led weaning has many advantages. Multidisciplinary team approach in the care of a ventilated patient, and it is vital to provide collaborative, co-ordinated and safe patient care.

Conclusions & Implications: The study identified ICU nurses have the knowledge, skill and ability to safely wean patients; however it is evidenced the need for more nursing decisional freedom in the process of weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation. Clinical leadership promoting the implementation and adherence to the weaning approaches through policy development is required to ensure that reductions in mechanical ventilation duration occur. Clinical leadership should target the development of a culture in intensive care that encourages the multidisciplinary team to give more autonomy to nurses regarding weaning from mechanical ventilation.The researcher postulates an increased multidisciplinary team education on patient weaning strategy by giving nurses as key factors in the weaning process. The results will be published and may be used for future multidisciplinary team education, and clinical nursing practice.