title: Two-year study of the prevention of unintentional extubation.
abstract: Unintentional or accidental extubation is an undesirable complication in the mechanically ventilated patient. This is particularly dangerous in high-risk patients who are on neuromuscular blocking agents or positive end-expiratory pressure or are difficult to reintubate. This article identifies some of the factors resulting in intentional extubation as well as measures taken to prevent them. A protocol was developed and utilized in Catholic Medical Center. The results of a two-year study reveal a reduction of the incidence from an initial 12% to 5% and a reduction of high-risk extubations from five to an incidence of three. The investigator also assembled an airway system consisting of low pressure cuff endotracheal tube with a pressure monitoring device and several adapters along with a tube fixation system.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pesiri
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors