Table 4.
The Practice of the ICU Regarding Respiratory Care in Patients without an Artificial Airway, Based on Answers Given by Respondents
| Respiratory Techniques in Patients Without an Artificial Airway | Nursing Staff Number (%) | Physiotherapists Number (%) | P-value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform body positioning of patients in bed to facilitate secretions clearance | |||
| Occasionally performed | 83 (82.2) | 30 (100.0) | 0.01 |
| Never performed | 18 (17.8) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Assist patients on passive forced expirations | |||
| Occasionally performed | 25 (24.7) | 20 (66.7) | < 0.0001 |
| Never performed | 76 (75.3) | 10 (33.3) | |
| Assist patients in coughing/huffing | |||
| Regularly performed | 11 (10.9) | 0 (0.0) | 0.05 |
| Occasionally performed | 39 (38.6) | 30 (100.0) | < 0.0001 |
| Never performed | 51 (50.5) | 0 (0.0) | < 0.0001 |
| Assist patients in deep breathing exercises | |||
| Occasionally performed | 12 (11.9) | 30 (100.0) | < 0.0001 |
| Never performed | 89 (88.1) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Assist patients on incentive spirometry | |||
| Occasionally performed | 65 (64.3) | 15 (50.0) | 0.1 |
| Never performed | 36 (35.7) | 15 (50.0) | |
| Perform chest wall percussion or manual/mechanical vibration | |||
| Occasionally performed | 78 (77.2) | 30 (100.0) | 0.004 |
| Never performed | 23 (22.8) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Place nebulizer for the humidification of airways or to administer bronchodilators/other drugs | |||
| Occasionally performed | 36 (35.6) | 0 (0.0) | 0.0001 |
| Never performed | 65 (64.4) | 30 (100.0) |
Notes: *Chi-square test used for associations between frequencies of the involvement of nursing staff and physiotherapists in the respiratory techniques in patients without an artificial airway.