Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2024
Document Type
Problem/Project Report
Degree Type
DNP
College
School of Nursing
Department
Not Listed
Committee Chair
Aaron M. Ostrowski, DNP, APRN, CRNA
Committee Co-Chair
Eric J. Lindstrom, MSN, CRNA
Committee Member
Eric J. Lindstrom, MSN, CRNA
Abstract
Background: Use of manometers, inflating the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff with a 5-mL syringe, displaying the pressure-volume loop (PV-L) on anesthesia machines, and auscultating with a stethoscope over the trachea have been shown effective in preventing ETT cuff overinflation in the operating room (OR). Purpose: The aims of this project were to implement and evaluate a best practice guideline for ETT cuff inflation in the OR. Methods: This project was conducted in several ORs at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Participants included anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), student registered nurse anesthetists, residents, and medics. The ETT cuff pressures assessed were adult intraoperative patients undergoing surgical procedures with general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. Interventions: Pre-and post-intervention ETT cuff pressures were measured using a manometer at induction. CRNAs received education as a PowerPoint presentation on three best practice methods: PV-L technique, 5-mL syringe technique, and stethoscope technique, with badge cards distributed. Results: Mean ETT cuff pressures decreased significantly between pre-intervention and post-intervention (p = .03). There was an increase in the percentage of anesthesia providers who utilized one of the three alternative methods for ETT cuff inflation from 4.76% (3/63) to 34.3% (22/64). Mean ETT cuff pressure decreased significantly when using a 5-mL syringe compared to a 10-mL syringe in both pre-intervention (p = .032) and post-intervention groups (p < .001). Conclusions: This project showed that implementing best practice methods for ETT cuff inflation in the OR when a manometer is unavailable was a feasible intervention to reduce overall mean ETT cuff pressures.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Katherine Zeiger, "Implementing Best Practice Methods of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation in the Operating Room" (2024). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12482.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12482