Development of Endotracheal and Tracheostomy Tube Suctioning Model: A Nursing Educational Innovation

Abstract

Endotracheal suctioning is a common nursing procedure in clinical practice and essential to eliminate secretion to open airway clearance and prevent airway obstruction especially in critically ill patients and those with ineffective airway clearance. However, this crucial procedure may cause potential complications without accurate knowledge and adequate skill training. The Royal Thai Army Nursing College (RTANC) realized the importance of preparing knowledge, nursing skills and confidence for nursing students to perform proper nursing procedures before practicing with real patients in the hospital to promote patient safety and reduce complications. Nevertheless, the available manikins in the nursing lab did not provide realistic functions for effective training, necessitating the development of the RTANC endotracheal and tracheostomy tube suctioning model. The suctioning model is an innovation designed to support nursing education. Nursing students could also practice the procedure in the lab when needed. According to the evaluation by the second year undergraduate nursing students (n = 83) and the nursing instructors (n = 5), the users rated their satisfaction at a very high level ( = 4.7 and 4.8 out of 5 respectively). The procedural training model is useful for teaching and learning in nursing. This model should be used in parallel with improving knowledge relevant to the current principal and techniques of endotracheal and tracheostomy tube suctioning, its complications and appropriate nursing care for patients before, during and after this procedure.