Application of Modified Ventilator Bundle and Its Effect on Weaning and Ventilation Days among Critical Ill Patients

Abstract

Context: Modified ventilator bundle is the group of interventions supported by evidence to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and other related complications that commonly occurred in mechanically ventilated patients. Furthermore, it helps in reducing the mortality rates and hospital length of stay.
Aim: The current study aimed to apply a modified ventilator bundle and evaluate its effect on weaning and ventilation days among critically ill patients.

Methods: A quasi-experimental research (study/control group) design was utilized. This study was conducted at the following critical care units (surgical, medical, and cardiac care units) affiliated to Bani Suief University Hospital in Bani Suief city, Egypt. A Purposive sample of 100 mechanically ventilated patients was divided into two groups. The study group included patients who received a modified ventilator bundle, while the control group included patients who received routine hospital nursing care. Data collection tools included two tools. The first tool is a patient assessment record, and the second tool is the weaning process assessment checklists using burns wean assessment program score.

Results: 68.0% of the study group, compared with only (40.0%) of the control group, had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation support between (4- 6) days with mean ± SD of 6.1 ± 1.6 and 7.3 ± 1.9, respectively after the modified bundle implementation with statistical significance differences (p-value 0.005). The study group of patients obtained higher weaning scores than the control group according to burns weaning scores.

Conclusion: The study group demonstrated higher weaning scores and shorter ventilation support duration than the control group. Developing a simplified and comprehensive training associated with demonstrative booklet, including information about ventilator-associated pneumonia, components of modified ventilator bundle, and its importance for ventilated patients to improve nurses' knowledge and practice. Furthermore, replicating the current study on a larger probability sample from different geographical locations to generalize the results.