Nurses' communication with mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care units

摘要

Critically ill patients experience overwhelming communication problems; caused byintubation and cognitive, sensory or language deficits that distance the patients fromcommunicating their needs and wants from nurses and loved ones. The purpose of thisstudy was to explore communication patterns and strategies with the aim ofimplementing intervention strategies for nurse/patient communication in the intensivecare units. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ Synergy Model for PatientCare was used to guide the study. A mixed method approach using quasi-experimentaldesign combining quantitative and qualitative data collections and analysis was used.Concurrent data collection for quantitative and qualitative data was used. Auditing ofpatient’s files, protocols, family counselling conference and in-service books and asurvey for nurses was used for quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was throughinterviewing nurses and nurse managers.Lack of documentation and use of other communication strategies were the key findingsof the study. In accordance with the model used for the study clinical judgment andmoral distress were found to be common among nurses. Lack of collaboration betweennurses and other health care workers was also attributed to poor communication withmechanically ventilated patients. Conclusions derived from the study are that nursesneed to be supported through informal and formal training on documentation and use ofcommunication methods available