Effectiveness of planned teaching programmeon the knowledge of endotracheal suctioning among staff nurses working in ICU

Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) is an essential component of effective airway management. However, many life-threatening risks and complications are associated, ranging from trauma and hypoxemia to, cardiac arrest and death. Despite seriousness of these complications, there is a lack of uniformity in suctioning procedures and confusions over what constitute proper technique.

Assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme (PTP) on the knowledge regarding ETS among staff nurses working in ICU.

A pre-experimental study was carried out to assess the knowledge of 26 staff nurses selected by purposive sampling, who were employed in different ICUs of MDM hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, were assessed by using a structured knowledge questionnaire and PTP was administered and the post-test was conducted after fifteen days. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

The mean pre-test knowledge score (17.07) of the staff nurses show that they have average knowledge regarding ETS. The mean post-test knowledge score (25.30) was higher than the pre-test score. The ‘t’ test computed for knowledge (‘t’₍₂₅₎=8.1154, P≤0.001) showed highly significant difference suggesting that the PTP was effective in increasing knowledge regarding ETS among staff nurses.

It can be concluded that staff nurses have inadequate knowledge regarding ETS as per current research recommendations. They require further education and continuously update to enhance their knowledge regarding ETS. A PTP is effective teaching strategy to increase their knowledge and improve their practices.