KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING WEANING CRITERIA OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION AMONG INTENSIVE CARE UNIT NURSES IN TERTIORY CARE HOSPITAL LAHORE

Abstract

Background:

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention in critical care, but timely and safe weaning is essential to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Nurses play a central role in the weaning process; however, their knowledge and practice may vary depending on training, experience, and institutional protocols.

Aim:
The study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of ICU nurses regarding weaning criteria from mechanical ventilation and to explore the association between demographic factors and their knowledge and practice levels.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 ICU nurses working in the Emergency ICU and Cardiac Surgery ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, knowledge, and practice regarding weaning criteria. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests were applied for analysis.

Results:
The majority of respondents were female (94%), aged 27–31 years (86.5%), and diploma-qualified (83.5%). Knowledge regarding weaning criteria was found to be inadequate, with high error rates in areas such as patient tolerance of spontaneous breathing (66.9% incorrect) and hemodynamic stability (62.4% incorrect). In contrast, practices were largely satisfactory, with strong compliance in essential steps such as oxygen supplementation (100%), documentation (100%), and cuff deflation (100%). Knowledge was significantly associated with age (p = 0.041), qualification (p = 0.018), and experience (p = 0.026), while practice was associated with experience (p = 0.047) and department (p = 0.032).

Conclusion:
ICU nurses demonstrated strong practical adherence but insufficient theoretical knowledge regarding weaning criteria. Structured training, simulation-based learning, and protocol reinforcement are needed to bridge this gap and optimize patient outcomes.