Effect of changing positions on Lung mechanics of traumatized ventilated patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Critical & Emergency Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

2 Department of Anesthesia Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences in Jubail, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal

3 Anesthesia and intensive care unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Positioning is a major pc art of nursing care for critically ill patients.
Turning the patients in bed promotes adequate ventilation and stimulates circulation. Aim: To
investigate the effect of changing positions on Lung mechanics of traumatized ventilated
patients in addition to explore the effect of changing positions on ABG, duration of connection
with MV &ICU staying, and the occurrence of complications of traumatized ventilated
patients. Study design: Quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct this study.
Setting: The study was conducted in trauma ICU at Assiut University hospital. Sample: A
purposive sample of 60 traumatized male and female patients. They were matched &
randomly assigned into two equal groups of 30 patients in each (control group &intervention
group). The Control group has received routine hospital care and the intervention group who
were repositioned every 2 hours. Tools: two tools were used for data collection, Tool one:
Patient assessment tool, Tool two: patient outcomes assessment tool. Results: it was observed
that there was a statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups
regarding lung mechanics, ABG (arterial blood gases), and decrease the length of ICU staying
(P value < 0.05) especially in the last three days of the study period. Conclusion: changing
patients' positions every 2 hours improved patients outcomes related to lung mechanics,
oxygenation, and ventilation Recommendation: Early changing positions should be started
early as possible for traumatized mechanically ventilated patients.

Keywords