Objectives: This study was conducted to determine intensive care nurses' knowledge and practice levels regarding open system endotracheal suctioning and to investigate if there is a relationship between nurses' demographic characteristics and their knowledge and practice.
Research methodology/design: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional and non-participant structured observational design. Data were collected using a 45-item structured and self-administered questionnaire and a 31-item observational checklist. The study sample included 72 nurses.
Setting: Three adult intensive care units in a teaching hospital.
Results: The nurses' mean scores of knowledge and practice were 23.79±3.83 and 12.88±2.53. Their level of knowledge was very good in 59.7%, good in 34.7%, and the level of practice was fair in 79.2% and good in 18.1%. The relationship between the type of unit and the nurses' knowledge scores was statistically significant (p=0.013). The correlation between the nurses' scores of knowledge and practice was not statistically significant (r=0.220; p=0.063).
Conclusion: This study suggests that the knowledge level of most of the nurses was good and their practice level was fair. Intensive care nurses must perform suctioning procedures safely and effectively to ensure delivery of quality of care and eliminate complications.
Keywords: Endotracheal suctioning; Intensive care unit; Knowledge; Mechanical ventilation; Nursing practice.
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