Rönnberg L, Nilsson U, Hellzén O, Melin-Johansson C. Beyond the monitors: Anaesthesiologists' experiences of the process of extubation.
Scand J Caring Sci 2021;
36:988-996. [PMID:
34021616 DOI:
10.1111/scs.12996]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Although extubation is a high-risk phase associated with risk of severe complications for patients undergoing general anaesthesia, there is a lack of research about this phenomenon from the perspective of anaesthesiologists' experiences of the process of extubation in the anaesthesia setting.
AIM
To describe Swedish anaesthesiologists' experiences of the extubation process in the anaesthesia setting.
METHODS
A qualitative descriptive design study with individual semi-structured interviews was conducted in three hospitals in Sweden with a total of 17 anaesthesiologists. A qualitative manifest content analysis method was used to analyse the data.
RESULTS
The anaesthesiologists' experiences were described in two categories: To assemble sensibilities, where the anaesthesiologists are receptive to inputs, create tailored plans, are guided by emotions and experiences, and sense the atmosphere in the process of extubation; and To stay focused, where they understand the importance of preparation and being prepared, and of being calm and strategic, and of needing to trust the registered nurse anaesthetist in the process of extubation.
CONCLUSIONS
Decision-making regarding the process of extubation does not rely solely on monitoring signs; rather, the anaesthesiologists described how, by looking beyond the monitors and by being receptive to inputs from the patient and other professionals, their experience and intuition guides them through the process of extubation.
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