The effect of endotracheal aspiration and position change on endotracheal tube cuff pressure in mechanically ventilated patients

The research was carried out in a self-controlled semi-experimental design to determine the effect of endotracheal aspiration and position change on endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients connected to mechanical ventilation. The study was carried out in the Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit at the state hospital located in the city center of Bolu. Personal Information Form and Patient Monitoring Form were used to collect Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale data for sample selection. 57 patients were included in the study. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure was measured and recorded at the 15th, 30th and 60th minutes in the 300 semifowler's position, aspiration process, right lateral, fowler's and left lateral positions. The data obtained from the research were analyzed with the SPSS for Windows 26 package program. p<0.05 was considered significant. Numbers, percentages, minimum and maximum values, mean and standard deviation were used in the analysis of the data. The compliance of the data with the assumption of normality was calculated with Skewness and Kurtosis coefficients (-1.5,+1.5). Parametric methods were used for measurement values suitable for normal distribution. In accordance with parametric methods, T Test in Dependent Groups was used to compare binary groups, and Analysis of Variance in Dependent Groups was used to compare multiple groups. Posthoc (Bonferroni) test was used to determine which groups the difference was between. Non-parametric methods were used for measurement values that did not comply with normal distribution. In accordance with non-parametric methods, the Friedman Test was used to compare multiple groups, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used as further analysis in significant cases. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between two quantitative variables, depending on the normal distribution type of the data. Based on the results obtained from the research, it is recommended that endotracheal tube cuff pressure control and monitoring is necessary for patient safety and routine monitoring, as the endotracheal tube cuff pressure changes with the position given to the patients, aspiration and over time.