ABSTRACT
Objective:
to evaluate the impact of a ventilatory weaning protocol on the weaning quality and on the outcomes of the patients.
Method:
a quasi-experimental quantitative study, consisting of comparing a prospective study with a retrospective study. Data was collected through a weaning log sheet applied between September and December 2015 at an intensive care unit in northern Portugal following the implementation of a weaning protocol and compared with a base-line constituted in the year preceding the implementation of the ventilatory weaning protocol.
Results:
the experimental group had a score mean of higher overall quality of weaning, with a reduction in the timing for initiating the weaning in 27.3% and the weaning time in 36.6%.
Conclusion:
the implementation of the ventilatory weaning protocol improved the overall quality of the weaning, facilitating the identification of patients with criteria to initiate the process, starting earlier, resulting in a reduction in ventilatory weaning time.
DESCRIPTORS
Intensive care units; Artificial breathing; Mechanical ventilator weaning; Ventilatory weaning protocol; Critical care nursing