Abstract
The endotracheal tube suctioning is one of the most commonly performed nursing procedures which preterm infants under mechanical ventilation require to remove endotracheal tube secretions. Aim of the study is to assess the effect of endotracheal suction intervention on oxygen saturation level in preterm infants. Settings this study was carried out at Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Benha University Hospital, Benha Teaching Hospital and Specialized Pediatric Hospital at Benha city. Sample of the study was a convenient sample composed of seventy nurses and seventy preterm infants undergoing mechanical ventilation at the previously mentioned settings. Tools of data collection included two tools, (1) A structured interviewing questionnaire schedule about characteristics of preterm infants, personal data of nurses and nurses҆ knowledge, (2) Assessment schedule for monitoring oxygen saturation level of preterm infants and observational checklist for endotracheal suctioning procedure. The main results of this study revealed that, oxygen saturation level decreased after 5 minutes from endotracheal tube suctioning procedure and there was a positive correlation between nursing practice of endotracheal suctioning procedure and oxygen saturation. Conclusion of the study revealed that endotracheal tube suctioning decreases oxygen saturation level of preterm infants. The main recommendation is making periodical educational training programs for nurses working at NICU about oxygen saturation and importance of monitoring it during endotracheal tube suctioning procedure.
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