Comparing the Effects of Standard Suction and Routine Methods on Vital Signs, Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation and Pain Level of Patients Hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit

One of the highly important duties at the intensive care units (ICUs) for maintaining airway and improving ventilation and oxygenation is suctioning; however, it must be done in a way so that, in addition to the mentioned advantages, it can have the least complications for the patient.
The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two standard and routine suctioning methods on vital signs, arterial blood oxygen saturation and pain level of patients hospitalized at the ICU.
The present quasi-experimental study was conducted during year 2012 on 80 patients under mechanical ventilation hospitalized at ICUs of Zahedan city. Patients were selected purposively and were randomly divided to two groups. In the first group, suctioning was done based on the standard method recommended by the American association for respiratory care (AARC) and in the second group; it was conducted based on routine nursing care. The data was collected by means of Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and bedside monitoring of the patients was done before and at one, five, ten and fifteen minutes after suctioning.
The results showed that suctioning based on the routine method leads to more pain and this pain continues for 10 minutes after suctioning and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at one and five minutes (P = 0.000, P = 0.000). The vital signs in both groups increased after suctioning and these changes were more in the second group, however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Also, the level of arterial blood oxygen saturation increased after suctioning in both groups, but these changes were more in group 1 and there was a significant difference between the measurements at one, five, ten and fifteen minutes after suctioning and before suctioning (P = 0.00, P = 0.000, P = 0.000); yet in the second group, no significant difference was observed in none of the times (P > 0.05).
The results of the present study showed that suctioning in the standard method brings about less pain for the patients. It results fewer changes in vital signs and also leads to increased arterial blood oxygen saturation. Thus, it should be included in the work program of the nurses through adequate training.