Effects of Open and Closed Suctioning Systems on Pain in Newborns Treated with Mechanical Ventilation

This experimental study was conducted to compare the effects of open and closed suctioning systems on pain in newborns receiving ventilation support. The study sample consisted of 42 babies (23 female, 16 male) hospitalized in the unit between December 2010 and December 2011 who met the selection criteria established for the study. Using the random sampling method, 20 of the babies were included in the closed suctioning system group and the remaining 22 were analyzed in the open suctioning system group. The data collection tools of the study were intervention monitoring form, data collection form, and documentation of the personal information on the babies; and the Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) evaluated the babies' pain responses. The data were evaluated using SPSS 15 software. Most neonates were born preterm (≤37 weeks' gestation at birth; 69% [n = 29]). The mean (SD) birth weight, gestational age, and intensive care unit stay were 1.82 kg (1.1 kg), 31.9 (5.3) weeks, and 25.3 (2.9) calendar days, respectively. Results of the study revealed no statistically significant difference between the open suctioning and closed suctioning groups (p = .194). However, the N-PASS pain scores obtained before and during the suctioning processes were significantly different (p < .001). In conclusion, babies seem to experience pain during the suctioning process, according to N-PASS scores, and although not significant statistically, the level of pain felt during open suctioning was observed to be slightly higher compared with closed suctioning.