Nurses' Practice regarding Chest Physiotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit

Background: Chest physiotherapy has long been a cornerstone of respiratory care in the ICU, aimed at improving pulmonary function and preventing complications in critically ill patients. In the Intensive Care Unit, nurses are integral to the successful implementation of chest physiotherapy. Nurses are required to perform correct and advanced protocols to ensure the success of the procedure, clear the chest of secretions, and improve oxygenation to ensure patients' comfort and safety.

Objective: This study aims to assess nurses’ practice regarding chest physiotherapy and its relationship with demographic characteristics.

Methodology: A quantitative observational design was used in this study from December 2024 to April 2025. a non-probability (purposive) sampling technique was utilized to collect data in intensive care unit at Kirkuk teaching Hospital and Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk City, Iraq. The study included (77) nurses. The researcher established an observational checklist to collect data about the chest physical therapy practices of nurses. To ensure the validity of the tool, the questionnaires were sent to a panel of ten experts in different specialties, and the questionnaires were modified according to the experts' instructions. The study's findings were analyzed utilizing statistical data analysis methods in the Statistical Package (SPSS) version 22.0. Frequencies, percentages, mean score (MS), and standard deviation (SD) are utilized in the descriptive analysis of data. Inferential data analysis is employed to derive logical inferences.

Results: Results show that the majority of the nurses are in the age category of 25-29 years old; also, most of the nurses are female. The nurse's practices of the “Pre Chest-Physiotherapy Procedure" were assessed at a moderate level (49.82%). Concerning "Chest Percussion and Vibration Technique, results showed that (40.44%) had assessed a moderate level. Also, "active cycle of breathing technique and incentive spirometer" results showed that (28.10%) had assessed at a low level. Finally, the finding of the study shows that the nurses’ practices had a highly significant relationship with nurses’ age, experience in the intensive care unit, and marital status.

Conclusions: The majority of the nurses demonstrated a moderate level of proficiency in chest physiotherapy practices. And there are relationships between nurses’ practices concerning chest physiotherapy and nurses’ age, experience in the intensive care unit, and marital status.