Knowledge and Management of Tracheal Tube Cuffs Among ICU Nurses in Korea.
- Author:
Sunju CHANG
1
;
Misoon SONG
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Korea. baimau98@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Intensive care unit;
Tracheal tube;
Cuffs;
Knowledge;
Management
- MeSH:
Adult;
Education, Continuing;
Humans;
Intensive Care Units;
Korea;
Tertiary Care Centers;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing
2009;21(6):570-579
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to determine knowledge and management of tracheal tube cuffs among nurses of ICU. METHODS: This descriptive survey recruited 150 nurses working at 8 different adult ICUs within 2 tertiary hospitals in Seoul. A survey questionnaire was developed to measure cuff management. The internal reliability of the tool was examined by Cronbach's alpha Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Among the 150 nurses, 94.0% replied that they would measure the pressure themselves. With regard to nurses' knowledge about tracheal tube cuffs, only 6% answered that they knew 'the appropriate cuff pressure'. The existence of a measuring device (p < .001), a guideline (p < .001), the level of knowledge on its related complications(p = .003), and clinical experience (p < .001) together accounted for 35.0% of the total variation in cuff management. They pointed out that the lack of time and the lack of education were major barriers to appropriate management; whereas education update was the most imperative factor for good management. CONCLUSION: ICU nurses have inappropriate knowledge and practice in cuff management. Therefore continuing education is necessary for better practice of tracheal tube cuff management.
