Implementing a Weaning Protocol for Cardiac Surgery Patients Using Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project.

Mechanical ventilation is the standard of care after cardiac surgery, but it imposes physiologic and psychological stress on patients. The Society of Thoracic Surgery recommends 6 hours as the goal for extubation, but 60% of our patients were not meeting this metric.The objectives of this project were to decrease cardiac surgery patients' ventilation hours and intensive care unit length of stay using a ventilator weaning protocol.An evidence-based ventilator weaning protocol was developed, and nurses were prepared for its implementation using a simulation education program.Ventilator hours were reduced from 7.74 to 6.27 (t = 2.5, P = .012). The percentage of patients extubated in 6 hours increased from 40% to 63.5% (χ = 7.757, P = .005). There was no statistically significant decrease in cardiovascular intensive care unit length of stay (17.15 to 15.99, t = 0.619, P = .537). Nurses' scores on a knowledge test increased significantly from pre (6.11) to post (7.79) (t = -5.04, P < .001). Their perception of confidence increased in weaning from pre (median, 4; IQR, 4,4) to post (median, 4; interquartile range [IQR], 4,5), z = -2.71, P = .007, and also in using the protocol from pre (median, 4; IQR, 3,4) to post (median, 4; IQR, 4,5) (z = -3.17, P = .002).Using a nurse-led ventilator weaning protocol resulted in decreased ventilator hours for patients and increased knowledge and confidence for nurses.

Duke Scholars

Author Marilyn Haag Oermann School of Nursing

Author Margory Molloy School of Nursing