Weaning from mechanical ventilation: factors that influence intensive care nurses' decision-making

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Mechanical ventilation is a critical support for patients with failing vital functions.
• Weaning from mechanical ventilation involves intensive care nurses in planning and implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing intensive care nurses' decision-making during mechanical ventilation weaning.
• To understand the nurse's role in the weaning process.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• Data collected from 22 intensive care nurses.
• Analysis performed using qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• A central theme identified: 'A complex nursing situation influenced by care culture'.
• Patient assessment (holistic view of physical, mental state, and perspective) is the primary decision factor.
• Care culture (team dynamics, nurse skills, personality, presence) also influences decisions, though with less consensus.

Conclusions:

• Holistic patient assessment by nurses enhances care during weaning.
• Raising awareness of care culture's impact can improve weaning effectiveness and reduce patient suffering.