Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 44-50, February 2010

Factors influencing nurse sedation practices with mechanically ventilated patients: A U.S. national survey

  • Jill L. Guttormson

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-160 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Tel.: +1 651 999 9441; fax: +1 612 625 7180.
    • ,
  • Linda Chlan

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
    • ,
  • Craig Weinert

      Affiliations

    • Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
    • ,
  • Kay Savik

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

Accepted 21 October 2009.

Summary 

Objectives

Mechanically ventilated patients commonly receive sedative medications. There is increasing evidence that sedative medications impact on patient outcomes. Nursing behaviour is a key determinant of sedation administration. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence nurse sedation administration to mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

The Nurse Sedation Practices Scale was mailed to a random sample of 1250 members of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Results

A response rate of 39% was obtained. Respondents were primarily staff nurses (73%) with a bachelor's degree in nursing (59%) from various intensive care unit (ICU) settings. We limited the analysis to adult ICU practitioners (n=423). The majority of nurses (81%) agreed that sedation is necessary for patient comfort. Nurse attitudes towards the efficacy of sedation for mechanically ventilated patients was positively correlated with nurses’ report of their sedation practice (rs=.28, p<.001) and their intent to administer sedation (rs=.58, p<.001). Attitudes did not vary with respect to individual or practice setting characteristics.

Conclusion

Nurses’ attitudes impact sedation administration practices. Modifying nurses’ attitudes on sedation and the experience of mechanical ventilation may be necessary to change sedation practices with mechanically ventilated patients.

Keywords: Critical care nursing, Critically ill patients, Hypnotics and sedatives, Respiration, Artificial

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PII: S0964-3397(09)00103-7

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2009.10.004

Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume 26, Issue 1 , Pages 44-50, February 2010

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