Changing Endotracheal Tube Taping Practice: An Evidence-based Practice Project

The purpose of this evidence-based, quality improvement practice project was to increase anesthesia providers’ knowledge and awareness of the taping practice for securing the endotracheal (ET) tube that increases the patient’s exposure to pathogens and the risk of nosocomial infections. A change in the taping practice by anesthesia providers was the desired outcome. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire about their knowledge and use of a taping practice to secure the ET tube. They then received an in-service on ET tube taping, which included reading an investigator-developed article about the evidence regarding patient safety during securing of the ET tube. The project ran for 4 weeks. Final data collection followed, in which participants completed the same anonymous questionnaire. After the intervention, there was strong agreement that the tape for securing the ET tube needs to be designated solely for this purpose. A Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated statistical significance (U = 55, P = .003). Additionally, anesthesia providers gave a strong indication that they would not use adhesive tape that had fallen to the floor (U = 78, P = .04, Mann-Whitney U test). This project demonstrated that a change in practice occurred after an intervention regarding securing the ET tube with adhesive tape.