Physical Data and Practices for Airway Suctioning by Clinical Nurses

Abstract

In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 562 clinical nurses to clarify the physical data and practices for airway suctioning. Prior to airway suctioning, nurses collected physical data about the presence of secretions, increased work of breathing, and oxygenation, using inspection, auscultation, medical examination data, and observation of secretions. Regarding suctioning practices, the rates of performing " observation of secretions "," infection control "," explanation to patients and families ", and " monitoring during suctioning " were high ( ≧80% ); however, they were low for practices not included in the guidelines( <50% ). With regard to items of auscultation before aspiration, the rates of " identification of abnormal breath sounds " and " prolonged expiration " were 30%, which were lower than " diminished breath sounds " ( 78% ) and " presence of abnormal breath sounds " (62% ). Performing " identification of abnormal breath sounds " was related to " onthe- job training of nurses " in physical assessment. The data for oxygenation before suctioning ( SpO2 and blood gas ) were related to oxygenation skill, and it served as indicators to assess the application of suctioning as well as oxygenation skill.