Factors Contributing to Post Suction Hypoxemia in Critical Ill Patients

Abstract

Abstract Tracheal suctioning is a rather frequent and essential procedure in patients under mechanical ventilation. During this procedure the tracheal secretion is removed to assure adequate oxygen supply and to avoid obstruction of the tube lumen, resulting in increased respiratory work, atelectasis and pulmonary infections. This procedure is associated with consequences and risks as hemorrhage, lesions of the tracheal mucosa, infections, atelectasis, cardiovascular disorder, hypoxemia and increase intracranial pressure. Aim: this study aimed to assess factors contributing to post suction hypoxemia in critically ill patients. Study design: a descriptive exploratory design was utilized in this study. Setting: this study was carried out in the Intensive Care Units of Alexandria Main Abo Quir- Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of 66 patients of both genders was involved in the study and convenient sample of all nurses working in intensive care unit at Alexandria Abo Quir hospital. Data collection tools: (I): Patient related factors: which includes 5 parts. (II): Nurses related factors: which includes 2 parts used to assess aim of this study. Results: the present study revealed that more than half of studied patients were male and had high education, more than two thirds of them were married and more than three quarters of them were employed. Additionally, there was a statistically insignificance relation between nurses’ total level of practice and total level of knowledge. Conclusion: the majority of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding suctioning procedure, while less than one fourth of them had satisfactory level of knowledge regarding suctioning procedure. In addition to only about half of the studied nurses had satisfactory level of suctioning performance, Additionally, more than half of the patients were smokers and had hypertension as contributing factors to post suction hypoxemia in critically ill patients. Recommendations: Educational program for intensive care unit nurses to improve knowledge and practices about endotracheal tube suctioning and avoid complications through performing suctioning procedure.