Abstract
Background:
Effective weaning protocols are crucial for patient recovery and resource optimization in intensive care, where mechanical ventilation (MV) is a critical intervention. However, the extent of knowledge and adherence to weaning guidelines among healthcare professionals in Saudi hospitals is uncertain. Objective: This study aims to assess the overall knowledge, awareness and adherence of weaning criteria and protocols among healthcare professionals working in adult ICUs.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 399 participants from the ICUs, comprising respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians. Data collection utilized the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS), and analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics via the SPSS v29.
Results:
Majority of participants were male (69%), had 5-10 years of experience (69%), were aged 25-35 (65.7%), and held a bachelor’s degree or higher (69%). Approximately 55% of them had correct knowledge of MV weaning criteria, with notable differences observed in knowledge levels across demographic characteristics. 88.2% had undergone weaning criteria training, and 65.7% reported a written weaning protocol in their hospital. We found varied levels of awareness and adherence among healthcare professionals regarding screening readiness for weaning criteria, modes of weaning interventions, recommended parameters, tolerance criteria, and extubation criteria.
Conclusions:
ICU healthcare professionals in Saudi hospitals exhibit a moderate level of knowledge and varying level of awareness and adherence with weaning guidelines for MV. However, gaps were evident in areas such as screening readiness and intervention modes. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve understanding and adherence to MV weaning protocols among ICU healthcare workers.
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