title: The factors which influence nurses when weaning patients from mechanical ventilation: findings from a qualitative study.
abstract: The aim of the study was to describe the factors that influence critical care nurses when deciding to wean patients from mechanical ventilation. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews and a vignette. An invited sample of critical care nurses (n=24) from one Irish intensive care unit was employed. Each nurse was interviewed once and a vignette was used to structure the interview questioning. The findings were analysed using thematic content analysis. Six major themes influencing nurses' decision to wean emerged, as follows: physiological influences; clinical reassessment and decision making; the nurse's experience, confidence and education; the patient's medical history and current ventilation; the intensive care working environment; and use of protocols. The findings highlight the complex nature of weaning patients from mechanical ventilation and the major role of the nurse in this process.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lavelle
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dowling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007494:Ireland; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000451:nursing*