Use of endotracheal tubes in continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions: Knowledge and expertise of respiratory therapists and nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital acquired nosocomial infection that is commonly found in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS) is found to lower the incidence of VAP. The aim of this study was to assess respiratory therapists and nurses’ awareness and experiences about the Endotracheal Tubes (ETT) with CASS.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. Purposive sampling of 51 respiratory therapists and 51 nurses who were involved in taking care of critically ill patients in adult ICUs at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh were used. The questionnaire was related to the knowledge and experiences of respiratory therapists and nurses about the proper use of ETT with CASS.

Results: The results suggest that the respiratory therapists were more knowledgeable in the use of ETT-CASS. However, both respiratory therapists and nurses had problems related to ETT design and materials. Most of these problems were related to cuff materials and its design, suctioning system and tubes, in addition to the availability of the equipment.

Conclusion: This study presents a unique contribution to knowledge about the experiences of respiratory therapists and nurses who work in KAMC about the proper use of ETT-CASS. The results of this study showed that the use of ETT-CASS is yet to be popularly recognized. Thus, it should be acclaimed by further studies and promotion through formulation of updated protocols and educational programs.