The importance of knowing the patient in weaning from mechanical ventilation

The aim of the research was to understand how nurses used technology to wean patients from mechanical ventilation.

The literature concerned with the development of critical care centres on the role of technology with little emphasis on the nursing contribution.

An ethnographic approach was used to understand how nurses used technology to wean patients from mechanical ventilation.

Data were gathered by participant observation and interviewing over a 6-month period. In total, 250 h of field notes were recorded.

Data were analysed by the content analysis method. Knowing the patient was a central theme identified. Three sub-themes were identified: ways of knowing, continuity of care and the role of the patient in the weaning trajectory.

'Knowing the patient' was implied during the interviews as essential to the delivery of patient-centred care. There were two main factors that needed to be present in order for nurses to know their patients: continuity of care and expertise. 'Ways of knowing' was reliant on gaining information about the patient. The role of the patient was a passive recipient of treatment.

Knowing the patient has been defined as a characteristic of expert nursing. To be truly patient-centred nursing needs to address the barriers that prevent nurses from getting to 'know' their patients.