Assess the communication pattern among conscious mechanical ventilation patients and nurses in the selected intensive care unit

Abstract

Conscious ventilator dependent patients often experience communication difficulties due to intubation. The study aimed to understand the conscious mechanical ventilation (MV) patients and nurses existing communication pattern in the ICU and develop the augment alternative communication method (AAC). In this quasi experimental study (pretest and posttest design), participants were enrolled using purposive sampling method and assigned to experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups from ICU based on certain determined criteria. Communication pattern assessment observational check list used to collect the data from both groups. Patients were used paper and pen as aided communication device 45 %, head nodding 95 % and hand movement using fingers 75 %. Patients primarily prefer to communicate with nurses 95% .Patients expressed pain associated in the endo tracheal (ET) tube and inability to communicate 100% and 95% respectively. Ninety percent of the patients expressed feeling of anxiety / fear of dying and feeling of afraid. The study further revealed 100% of the patients expressed trouble sleeping and feeling of discomfort, 100% wanted to know about their condition, when will ET tube be removed and when I go home. With regards to patients physical care needs, 100% expressed thirsty feeling, need to be suctioned and hungry feeling, 75% expressed their lip to be moistened. Related to nurses positive communication strategies, 90% makes eye contact, 85% being kind and spoke slowly. With regards to negative strategies 75% of the nurses spoke too rapidly and self-talk mumbling. Nurses used yes/no gestures 100%, head nodes 85% and AAC no were not used other than natural methods. Communication pattern assessment helps the nurses to find out and distinguish the sources of discomforts, distressed symptoms especially the domains such as psychological, physiological, spiritual, comfort needs, expectations and preparing appropriate AAC for conscious MV patients.