The effect of body position changes on the endotracheal tube cuff pressure of patients hospitalized in intensive care unit

It is important to maintain proper endotracheal tube cuff pressure during hospitalization in intensive care units (ICUs). Among variables affecting endotracheal tube cuff pressure (p. cuff) in patients is various nursing practices. So, this study assessed the effect of body position changes on p. cuff in patients hospitalized at the ICU.

In this clinical trial, mechanically ventilated patients with oral endotracheal tube hospitalized at the ICU were enrolled. The patients were selected using the purposive sampling method. A demographic data checklist and Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale were used to collect the data. p. cuff changes, after changing body position to the left and right at bed angles of 30° and 45°, were immediately measured and recorded. The data were analyzed using the SAS and SPSS 19 software packages along with descriptive statistical tests, chi-square test, independent t-test and ANOVA at the significance level of 0. 05.

The results of this study showed no significant relationship between demographic variables and endotracheal tube cuff pressure changes. The results indicated a significant relationship between endotracheal tube cuff pressure at 30-degree bed angle and cuff pressure in the body position changes to the left (p = 0. 004) and right (p = 0. 00), as well as between 45‎° head of bed and cuff pressure in the body position changes to right (p = 0. 012).

The endotracheal tube cuff pressure was observed to change by changing the patient's position, change. Therefore, it is recommended to measure p. cuff and regulate it within the therapeutic range.