Effects of Positioning Changes on Oxygenation Parameters among Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Abd Elazeem Mostafa, Heba; Mohamed Tantaewy, Nayera; Nabil Abd-Elsalam, Shimaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.228001

Effects of Positioning Changes on Oxygenation Parameters among Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- Al-Azhar University

² Assistant Professor of CriticalCare & Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura-Egypt. University

³ Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing-Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

10.21608/ejhc.2022.228001

Abstract

Background: Body positioning denotes to augmenting oxygen transport by influencing the
effect of gravity on cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular function. Positioning should be a crucial
part of respiratory care, changes in the body position of patients receiving mechanical ventilation in
intensive care unit are frequent which is one of the nursing activities during care for such group of
patients, also body position changes affect the peak transport of blood and oxygen. Aim: The study
aimed to evaluate the effects of positioning changes on oxygenation parameters among
mechanically ventilated patients. Design: A quasi-experimental design was applied in the current
study. Sample: A purposive of 60 adult patients from both genders who were admitted during the
study period on mechanical ventilation and newly admitted (less than 3 days from admission to the
ICU) was selected. Setting: Data were collected from Chest ICU units affiliated to Ain Shams
University Hospitals. Tools: Data was collected utilizing two designed tools (1) Patient data sheet
which includes Socio demographic data for mechanically ventilated patients with lung diseases and
health - relevant information (2) Oxygenation assessment scale to assess oxygenation level twice
immediately and after two hours from each position which includes ABG and vital signs. The
results: Mechanically ventilated Patients who have received change position have had oxygenation
levels better than those patients who were on the routine position (fowler position). Conclusion: The
implementation of positioning changes among the study group according to the results of basic
assessment has been successful and got an effective significant improvement in oxygenation level
for mechanically ventilated patients that had respiratory failure. Recommendations: Positioning
changes of mechanically ventilated patients should be applied by all staff nurses working in
ICUs as essential careneeded to improve the oxygenation level and further replication of the study
is recommended on a large sample and different settings.

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