Early rehabilitation nursing in ICU promotes rehabilitation of patients with respiratory failure treated with invasive mechanical ventilation

Objective: This paper aimed at exploring the application value of early rehabilitation nursing (ERN) in intensive care unit (ICU) for nursing patients with respiratory failure (RF) treated with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Methods: Admitted to the ICU of our hospital from January 2019 to June 2020, 172 RF patients that was treated with IMV were selected as the research objects. Those in the general group (n=80) received routine nursing in ICU, whereas those in the recovery group (n=92) received ERN on the basis of the general group. The recovery of their vital signs, blood gas functions and pulmonary functions was monitored. Their treatment time in ICU, mechanical ventilation time (MVT), total hospitalization time (THT) and incidence of complications were recorded. Their negative emotions, quality of life (QOL) and nursing satisfaction were assessed.

Results: After intervention, the body temperature, the respiratory rate and the heart rate in the recovery group were lower than those in the general group (P<0.05). The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were remarkably higher in the recovery group, while the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) was remarkably lower (P<0.05). One-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁% were remarkably higher in the recovery group (P<0.05). The treatment time in ICU, the MVT and the THT were remarkably shorter in the recovery group (P<0.05). During intervention, the total incidence of complications was lower in the recovery group (P<0.05). While after intervention, the scores of the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ; symptom, activity, impact) were lower in the recovery group, but the nursing satisfaction was remarkably higher (P<0.05).

Conclusion: During the treatment of RF patients with IMV, ERN can promote their recovery, reduce the incidence of complications, relieve their negative emotions, and improve their QOL and nursing satisfaction. So, this nursing model is worthy of clinical application.