Using the Model of Motivation to Improve the Accuracy of Nurses Conducting Aerosol Therapy in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Abstract

Aerosol therapy is increasingly used in pulmonary critical care and in patients with respiratory disease. However, improper application of the aerosol delivery device will decrease the therapeutic effect as well as increase the incidence of pulmonary infection. An initial assessment conducted in our intensive care unit found an accuracy rate for nursing staff aerosol-therapy execution of only 55.9%. Possible reasons identified for this low rate included lack of learning experience and resources, lack of related standard operating procedures, lack of related performance assessments, complicated / unfamiliar device assembly procedure, diffuse storage of device components, and a lack of illustrations. This project was developed to increase the accuracy rate of performing aerosol therapy to over 90% in our intensive care unit. We designed diverse learning materials using the model of motivation, developed an evaluation system, simplified the assembly of components based on evidence-based research, improved the storage situation, and added reference illustrations. The accuracy rate in aerosol therapy execution for our nursing staff increased from 55.9% to 95.0% after the intervention. This project used the model of motivation to develop the teaching materials. By using diverse teaching methods, including both in-person classes and online interactive quizzes, we realized high learning satisfaction and efficacy. Along with simplifying equipment handling, improving the working environment, enhancing nurses' aerosol therapy techniques, establishing standard operating procedure guidelines, and adding an evaluation system, we standardized the entire procedure for potential promotion to other intensive care units.