Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is life-saving technology.
Mechanical ventilator hasserious complications, so the ultimate goal of MV is ventilator
discontinuation, weaning a patient from MV is challenge for critical care nurses who
play a vital role in assessing patient readiness for weaning. The aim: Study aimed to
assess the factors affecting weaning of mechanically ventilated patients. Design:
Descriptive exploratory research design was used in carrying out thisstudy. Setting: The
study was conducted in the medical intensive care units at Ain Shams Hospitals. Sample:
A convenience sample of all available nurses (n=50) and a convenience sample of 50
patients with MV. Tools of data collection: Patients' physical assessment tool, Hospital
anxiety and depression scale, Nurses' self-administered questionnaire, Equipment's and
Environmental- related factors tool. Results: 70% of the studied nurses had satisfactory
level of knowledge regarding the total knowledge about patient weaning from
mechanical ventilator. Also, 72% of the studied nurses had satisfactory level in practicing
their role during the process of weaning of patient from MV device. In addition to 81%
of the human resources and structure was available. Moreover 67% of the equipment
was available. Conclusion: More than two thirds of the studied nurses had a satisfactory
level in practicing their role during the process of weaning of patient from MV. Also the
most of the human resources and structure was available. In addition to more than two
thirds of the equipment was available. Recommendations: An orientation programme
for staff newly appointed to the ICU should be conducted including education with
regard weaning from mechanical ventilator. Extensive and ongoing in-service training
programmes for ICU nurses to improve their knowledge and practice regarding weaning
of patientsfrom mechanical ventilator.