Intensive Care Unit Characteristics Associated With Unplanned Extubations in a Surgical

Background Unplanned extubations can result in serious complications. Objectives To determine characteristics of patients and nurses and risk factors that affect extubations. Methods A retrospective exploratory design was used. Ram-say Sedation Scale scores, need for reintubation, time between intubation and extubation, use of sedation and anal-gesia in the preceding 48 hours, and use of restraints were collected on 31 patients in a surgical intensive care unit who had unplanned extubations. For nurses, data collected included years ’ experience in nursing and as an intensive care nurse, professional credentials, and location at the time of extubation. Results All unplanned extubations were self-extubations; 15 required reintubation. Most patients had low levels of seda-tion in the hour preceding the extubation (mean Ramsa