Table 3.

The Practice of the ICU Regarding Respiratory Care in Patients with an Artificial Airway, Based on Answers Given by Respondents

Respiratory Techniques in Patients with an Artificial Airway	Nursing Staff Number (%)	Physiotherapists Number (%)	P-value*
Perform body positioning in bed to facilitate secretions clearance
Occasionally performed	83 (82.2)	12 (40.0)	< 0.0001
Never performed	18 (17.8)	18 (60.0)
Perform airway suctioning from an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube
Regularly performed	101 (100.0)	0 (0.0)	< 0.0001
Never performed	0 (0.0)	30 (100.0)
Participate in the adjustment of mechanical ventilation
Regularly performed	83 (82.2)	0 (0.0)	< 0.0001
Occasionally performed	18 (17.8)	0 (0.0)	0.01
Never performed	0 (0.0)	30 (100.0)	< 0.0001
Administer PEEP ventilation
Occasionally performed	54 (53.5)	0 (0.0)	< 0.0001
Never performed	47 (46.5)	30 (100.0)
Use of spontaneous breathing trial
Regularly performed	26 (25.7)	0 (0.0)	0.002
Occasionally performed	36 (35.6)	0 (0.0)	0.0001
Never performed	39 (38.7)	30 (100.0)	< 0.0001
Perform chest wall percussion or manual/mechanical vibration
Occasionally performed	35 (34.6)	18 (60.0)	0.01
Never performed	66 (65.4)	12 (40.0)

Notes: *Chi-square test used for associations between frequencies of the involvement of nursing staff and physiotherapists in the respiratory procedures among patients with an artificial airway.

Abbreviations: PEEP ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation.