Continuous care and patients' basic needs during weaning from mechanical ventilation: A qualitative study. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khalafi, Ali; Elahi, Nasrin; Ahmadi, Fazlollah
• Is Part Of: Intensive and critical care nursing. Volume 37(2016)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Intensive care -- Mechanical ventilation -- Nursing -- Qualitative research -- Weaning; Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; Critical Illness -- nursing -- Periodicals; Intensive Care -- Periodicals; Nursing Care -- Periodicals; Intensive care nursing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.028
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2016.05.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-3397

Abstract

Summary: Background: Mechanical ventilation is associated with a number of risks and complications. Thus, rapid and safe weaning from mechanical ventilation is of great importance. Weaning is a complex and challenging process, requiring continuous care and knowledge of the patient. Aims: The aim of the present study was to describe the continuous care process during weaning as well as to analyse the facilitators and obstacles to the weaning process from start to finish from the perspective of intensive care unit (ICU) staff, particularly nurses. Research design: Twenty-two ICU staff members, including nurses and physicians, and three patients hospitalised in the ICU were enrolled in this qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and the transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: 'Continuous care' was found to be the patients' basic need during weaning from mechanical ventilation. Uninterrupted, stable, comprehensive and dynamic care and monitoring with immediate response to all physiological and psychological changes were features of continuous care. The three main themes identified by this study were time spent with the patient, comprehensive supervision and maintenance of the quality of care during shifts . Conclusion: Continuous and constant care should be provided during the weaning process. Such care will help to provide health care staff with a deeper understanding of the patient and his or her continuous changes, leading to a timely and favourable response during weaning. To achieve this goal, skill, communication and organisational changes are essential.