Adult intensive care patients' perception of endotracheal tube-related discomforts: A prospective evaluation.

Summary, in English

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate adult patients' perceptions of endotracheal tube (ETT)-related discomfort at 5 days and 2 months after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This prospective cohort study in 2 general ICUs included 250 intubated, mechanically ventilated adults admitted for more than 24 hours. Patients were interviewed 5 days and 2 months after discharge from the ICU about their ETT-related discomfort, using a modified Swedish ETT version of the ICU Stressful Experience Questionnaire that comprises 14 items. RESULTS: Of 116 patients describing their ETT experience during their ICU stay, 88% rated their discomfort as moderately to extremely stressful. At 2 months after discharge from the ICU, 23% (51/226) reported bothersome discomfort, vs. 46% (104/226) 5 days after discharge from the ICU, and 10 patients suffered from severe, persistent hoarseness. CONCLUSION: The incidence of bothersome subjective complaints after tracheal intubation in the intensive-care setting is high, and severe ETT-related problems may persist several months after extubation.

• Author: Karin Samuelson
• Department/s: Department of Health Sciences
• Publishing year: 2011
• Language: English
• Pages: 49-55
• Publication/Series: Heart & Lung
• Volume: Jul 1
• Links: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20561863?dopt=Abstract; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2009.12.009
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Nursing
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1527-3288