Nurses' experiences of caring for critically ill, non-sedated, mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit: a qualitative study

Eva Laerkner, Ingrid Egerod, Helle Ploug Hansen

51 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore nurses' experiences of caring for non-sedated, critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

DESIGN AND SETTING: The study had a qualitative explorative design and was based on 13 months of fieldwork in two intensive care units in Denmark where a protocol of no sedation is implemented. Data were generated during participant observation in practice and by interviews with 16 nurses. Data were analysed using thematic interpretive description.

FINDINGS: An overall theme emerged: "Demanding, yet rewarding". The demanding aspects of caring for more awake intubated patients included unpredictability, ambiguous needs and complex actions, while the rewarding aspects included personal interaction. Three sub-themes were identified: (i) caring for and with the patient, (ii) negotiating relational and instrumental care and (iii) managing physical and emotional closeness.

CONCLUSION: Despite the complexity of care, nurses preferred to care for more awake rather than sedated patients and appreciated caring for just one patient at a time. The importance of close collaboration between nurses and doctors to ensure patient comfort during mechanical ventilation was valued. Caring for more awake non-sedated patients required the nurses to act at the interface between ambiguous possibilities and needs, which was perceived as both demanding and rewarding.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftIntensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
Vol/bind31
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)196-204
Antal sider9
ISSN0964-3397
DOI
StatusUdgivet - aug. 2015

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'Nurses' experiences of caring for critically ill, non-sedated, mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit: a qualitative study'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater