Effect of Endotracheal Suctioning Education for Nurses on Patient's Hemodynamic Parameters

Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) is a common invasive nursing procedure. Hemodynamic parameters changes during and after the procedure. If appropriate strategies do not be applied during the ETS, hemodynamic changes can be significant and life threatening in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of education of endotracheal suctioning on patient's hemodynamic parameters. Methods & Materials: This was a non-equivalent quasi-experimental study conducted in two critical care units in Hazarat Rasool hospital. All nurses working in these two units participated in the study in a period of two weeks. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure of all patients who needed suctioning were measured before and after the endotracheal suctioning. We analyzed the data using the SPSS. At baseline, the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures increased significantly (P=0.02) in the first and third minutes post-suctioning. In post-education phase, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly (P<0.001) in the first minute post-suctioning. In the third minute post-suctioning, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure decreased (P=0.43). The study findings showed significant changes in hemodynamic parameters after post-endotracheal suctioning. In this study, conducting endotracheal suctioning education improved the outcomes of hemodynamic parameters in patients. Educational programs can improve nursing care outcomes by preventing and minimizing hemodynamic changes during and after the suctioning in critically ill patients.