Medical College of Wisconsin
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Factors influencing nurse sedation practices with mechanically ventilated patients: a U.S. national survey. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2010 Feb;26(1):44-50

Date

12/01/2009

Pubmed ID

19945879

DOI

10.1016/j.iccn.2009.10.004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-73649086179 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   74 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Mechanically ventilated patients commonly receive sedative medications. There is increasing evidence that sedative medications impact on patient outcomes. Nursing behaviour is a key determinant of sedation administration. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence nurse sedation administration to mechanically ventilated patients.

METHODS: The Nurse Sedation Practices Scale was mailed to a random sample of 1250 members of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

RESULTS: A response rate of 39% was obtained. Respondents were primarily staff nurses (73%) with a bachelor's degree in nursing (59%) from various intensive care unit (ICU) settings. We limited the analysis to adult ICU practitioners (n=423). The majority of nurses (81%) agreed that sedation is necessary for patient comfort. Nurse attitudes towards the efficacy of sedation for mechanically ventilated patients was positively correlated with nurses' report of their sedation practice (r(s)=.28, p<.001) and their intent to administer sedation (r(s)=.58, p<.001). Attitudes did not vary with respect to individual or practice setting characteristics.

CONCLUSION: Nurses' attitudes impact sedation administration practices. Modifying nurses' attitudes on sedation and the experience of mechanical ventilation may be necessary to change sedation practices with mechanically ventilated patients.

Author List

Guttormson JL, Chlan L, Weinert C, Savik K

Author

Jill Guttormson BSN,MS,PhD Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing department at Marquette University




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Attitude of Health Personnel
Critical Care
Drug Monitoring
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Guideline Adherence
Health Care Surveys
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Evaluation Research
Nursing Staff, Hospital
Organizational Policy
Patient Selection
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Respiration, Artificial
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Workplace