| dc.description.abstract | Background: Critically ill patients in intensive care usually require invasive
mechanical ventilation as part of their treatment and as such are often
administered sedatives to increase their tolerance of invasive mechanical
ventilation so as to promote their comfort and safety (Kress et al 2003,
Arroliga 2005, Weinert & Calvin 2007). Nurses are primarily responsible for
the titration and administration of sedatives. Over-sedation can increase the
duration of mechanical ventilation which can in-turn impact on the risk of
patients developing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) (Ibrahim, Tracy,
Hill, Fraser, & Kollef, 2001, Schweickert et al., 2004, Grap, 2009, Sedwick et
al., 2012). Therefore an optimal level of sedation is often endorsed however
achieving this level of sedation can be quite difficult and challenging (Berry et
al 2010). Hence, the use of ventilator care bundle which has daily sedation
holds as one of it key component has been recommended. Daily sedation
holds has proven to reduce the risk of over-sedation and consequently the
duration of mechanical ventilation (Kress et al 1996, 2000, 2007; Mehta et al
2008, Gammon et al 2005). Nurses' adherence to the implementation of daily
sedation hold is therefore very crucial.
Aim: The purpose of this research proposal is to explore the factors that
influence the adherence of nurses to daily sedation hold; a component of the
ventilator care b | |
