Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 1-6-2023

Abstract

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure measurement is an essential practice for management of mechanically ventilated patients. Based on guidelines, it’s recommended to maintain the endotracheal tube cuff pressure within a range between 20-30cm H2O. When the endotracheal tube cuff pressure is lower than the normal range, it increases the risk of micro-aspirations and the passage of contaminated secretions of the oral cavity into the trachea; this potentially causing aspiration pneumonitis and ends with ventilator associated pneumonia. This study aimed to assess the relationship between endotracheal tube different cuff pressure measurements and the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia. A non-randomized descriptive correlational research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: The study was conducted at two medical intensive care units at Ain Shams University hospital, which are affiliated with Ain Shams University, Cairo-Egypt. A purposive sample of 192 patients were included in the study from the previously mentioned settings. Three tools were used in this study, Patient assessment sheet. It consisted of three parts: demographic data of the patients, clinical data of the patients and mechanical ventilation data. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure measurements tool. Modified clinical pulmonary infection score. This study findings revealed that 46.9% of the studied patients had pressure measurements of less than 20 cmH2O on the 1st day. While, 62% and 55.2% of them had pressure measurements of 20- 30 cmH2O on the 2nd and 3rd days respectively. Furthermore, 46.4% of the studied patients developed VAP on the 1st day increased to 50% and 52.6% of them on the 2nd and 3rd days respectively. The current study concluded that there was a statistically significant correlation between endotracheal tube cuff pressure measurements and incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia. Providing education and training sessions to health care providers on the importance of cuff pressure measurement and the potential complications associated with incorrect cuff pressure.

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