The association between bathing and weaning trial duration

ObjectiveTo describe patterns of bath care for patients who are weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) and to explore the association between bathing and weaning trial duration.MethodsDescriptive correlational study. Clinical records from 439 weaning trial days for 30 patients who required PMV were abstracted for bathing occurrences during weaning trials, within 1 hour before a trial, and nocturnally.ResultsMost baths occurred during weaning trials (30.8%) or at night (35.3%), and less frequently (16%) within 1 hour before a trial. No significant effects were found on trial duration for nocturnal bathing or bathing within 1 hour before a trial. By using random coefficient modeling, weaning duration was shown to be longer when bathing occurred during a weaning trial (P < .05), even when controlling for age, severity of illness, and days on bedrest.ConclusionBathing occurred during approximately one third of PMV weaning trials. Baths during PMV weaning trials were associated with longer weaning trial duration.