Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation

Background. Liberation of patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) is an important goal of patient care, to avoid the complications andrisks associated with prolonged MV.Objective. To determine the extent of South African physiotherapists’ involvement in weaning and extubation of patients from MV...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Heleen Van Aswegen, Dipna Morar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: South African Medical Association 2016-07-01
Series:Southern African Journal of Critical Care
Online Access:http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/254/250
_version_ 1797369244816506880
author Heleen Van Aswegen
Dipna Morar
author_facet Heleen Van Aswegen
Dipna Morar
author_sort Heleen Van Aswegen
collection DOAJ
description Background. Liberation of patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) is an important goal of patient care, to avoid the complications andrisks associated with prolonged MV.Objective. To determine the extent of South African physiotherapists’ involvement in weaning and extubation of patients from MV andwhether current practice is evidence based.Method. A survey questionnaire was developed, and content validated and made available electronically and in hard copy. Physiotherapistsworking in adult intensive care units in public and private sector hospitals in South Africa (SA) were identified and invited to participate.Results. Response rate was 43% (n=184). The majority of respondents (n=135, 73%) ‘never’ or ‘seldom’ got involved in decision-makingto wean patients from MV; a minority (n=8, 4%) were ‘routinely’ involved in decision-making. Some respondents (n=54, 29%) performedextubation ‘often’ or ‘routinely’. The majority used exercises (n=149, 81%), early mobilisation out of bed (n=142, 77%) and deep breathingexercises (DBEs) (n=142, 77%) ‘routinely’ to aid in respiratory muscle training. The majority of respondents ‘never’ adjusted ventilatorsettings other than fraction of inspired oxygen. No association was found between type of physiotherapy degree respondents held and theirinvolvement in weaning (p=0.24).Conclusion. SA physiotherapists’ contributions towards weaning of patients from MV through prescription of exercise therapy, early outof-bed mobilisation and DBEs is evidence based. Involvement in adjustment of MV settings, decision-making regarding patient weaning,development of weaning protocols for their units and extubation is limited.
first_indexed 2024-03-08T17:43:50Z
format Article
id doaj.art-6af99aa9648f4961acb6c072c5697878
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1562-8264
2078-676X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-08T17:43:50Z
publishDate 2016-07-01
publisher South African Medical Association
record_format Article
series Southern African Journal of Critical Care
spelling doaj.art-6af99aa9648f4961acb6c072c56978782024-01-02T10:49:44ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouthern African Journal of Critical Care1562-82642078-676X2016-07-013216610.7196/SAJCC.2016.v32i1.254Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilationHeleen Van AswegenDipna MorarBackground. Liberation of patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) is an important goal of patient care, to avoid the complications andrisks associated with prolonged MV.Objective. To determine the extent of South African physiotherapists’ involvement in weaning and extubation of patients from MV andwhether current practice is evidence based.Method. A survey questionnaire was developed, and content validated and made available electronically and in hard copy. Physiotherapistsworking in adult intensive care units in public and private sector hospitals in South Africa (SA) were identified and invited to participate.Results. Response rate was 43% (n=184). The majority of respondents (n=135, 73%) ‘never’ or ‘seldom’ got involved in decision-makingto wean patients from MV; a minority (n=8, 4%) were ‘routinely’ involved in decision-making. Some respondents (n=54, 29%) performedextubation ‘often’ or ‘routinely’. The majority used exercises (n=149, 81%), early mobilisation out of bed (n=142, 77%) and deep breathingexercises (DBEs) (n=142, 77%) ‘routinely’ to aid in respiratory muscle training. The majority of respondents ‘never’ adjusted ventilatorsettings other than fraction of inspired oxygen. No association was found between type of physiotherapy degree respondents held and theirinvolvement in weaning (p=0.24).Conclusion. SA physiotherapists’ contributions towards weaning of patients from MV through prescription of exercise therapy, early outof-bed mobilisation and DBEs is evidence based. Involvement in adjustment of MV settings, decision-making regarding patient weaning,development of weaning protocols for their units and extubation is limited.http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/254/250
spellingShingle Heleen Van Aswegen
Dipna Morar
Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
Southern African Journal of Critical Care
title Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
title_full Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
title_fullStr Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
title_full_unstemmed Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
title_short Physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
title_sort physiotherapy contributions to weaning and extubation of patients from mechanical ventilation
url http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/254/250
work_keys_str_mv AT heleenvanaswegen physiotherapycontributionstoweaningandextubationofpatientsfrommechanicalventilation
AT dipnamorar physiotherapycontributionstoweaningandextubationofpatientsfrommechanicalventilation