Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
2025
First Advisor
Sandy King
Second Advisor
Brittany Marshall
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ knowledge and confidence in managing mechanically ventilated patients’ weaning trials, and whether innovative education can improve these clinical interventions. Current practice relies on an antiquated provider-led protocol that does not account for the nurses’ skill level or practice autonomy. This oversight consistently leads to ventilator associated complications including prolonged ventilation time, increase sedation infusion use and increase ICU length of stay. This study’s aim was to determine if innovative education could improve nursing knowledge and confidence related to ventilated patient care. Nurse participants (N=100) were randomly selected to participate in a two hour and thirty-minute live class that taught evidence-based protocol interventions for ventilation weaning parameters (reduction of ventilator time, sedation use, and ICU care time). Participants completed two pre- and post- survey questionnaires for the class. The results demonstrate an increase in both, clinical knowledge (23.17%) and confidence for clinical application (64.97%) in the participants. Incorporating evidence from journals, studies, and the project results, this study demonstrates the critical need for innovative education tailored to clinical staff to ensure consistent improvement of patient care through use of evidence-based education. This study also showcases the ability to leverage innovation through education to increase confidence in the clinical staff to adapt to continuing education and apply it in their daily practice. The significance of the project outcomes can assist in aligning the practice in the intensive care units to that of the clinical practice guidelines supported by evidence.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Duncan, Joseph, "Quality Improvement Project: Reducing Ventilator Days: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Mechanical Ventilation Liberation Protocol in Critical Care Units" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 102.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/102
