Communication between the Nursing Team and Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Communication, in this case, is based on the use of tools and involves reciprocal interaction between two parties. The use of mechanical ventilation in intensive care units generates patient-specific conditions that impede communication. A lack of communication between the nursing team and mechanically-ventilated patients is attributed to a variety of barriers and produces negative effects that can have an impact on the patient’s recovery and comfort. Objective: The study was conducted to become familiar with the characteristics of communication between mechanically-ventilated patients and the nursing team. Method: The elements of the grounded theory method were applied to the analytical process, and focus groups of nurses and nursing technicians who provide care directly to mechanically-ventilated patients in an ICU were used to gather the data. Results: The findings provide a description of the main features of communication with these patients by identifying the ways and means of communicating used by the nursing team, the moments when communication occurs, and the benefits and barriers perceived by the participant group. However, it was not possible to establish a central category with the structures and definitions of the process within it, which will require new research. Conclusion: The findings are expected to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge and to help reinforce the management of care provided by ICU nursing teams.