Use of a Multidisciplinary Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Protocol to Improve Patient Outcomes and Empower Staff in a Medical Intensive Care Unit. Issue 2 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gunther, Ingrid; Pradhan, Deepak; Lubinsky, Anthony; Urquhart, Annie; Thompson, Julie A.; Reynolds, Staci
• Is Part Of: Dimensions of critical care nursing. Volume 40:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Mechanical ventilation -- Quality improvement -- Weaning protocol; Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; 610.736
• DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000462
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-4625

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation is associated with higher mortality and increased patient complications; conventional physician-directed weaning methods are highly variable and permit significant time that weaning is inefficient and ineffective. Objectives: The primary objective of this quality improvement project was to implement a registered nurse (RN)– and respiratory therapist (RT)-driven mechanical ventilation weaning protocol in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care academic medical center. Methods: This quality improvement project used a quasi-experimental design with a retrospective usual care group who underwent physician-directed (conventional) weaning (n = 51) and a prospective intervention group who underwent protocol-directed weaning (n = 54). Outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, reintubation rates, and RN and RT satisfaction with the weaning protocol. Results: Patients in the RN- and RT-driven mechanical ventilation weaning protocol group had significantly lower duration of mechanical ventilation (74 vs 152 hours; P = .002) and ICU length of stay (6.7 vs 10.2 days; P = .031). There was no significant difference in reintubation rates between groups. Staff surveys indicate that both RN and RTs were satisfied with the process change. Discussion: Implementation of a multidisciplinary mechanical ventilation weaning protocol is a safe and effective way to improve patient outcomes and empower ICU staff.