Intensive care nurses' experiences using volatile anaesthetics in the intensive care unit: An exploratory study

Objective: To explore the experiences intensive care nurses have with volatile anaesthetics in the intensive care unit. Research methodology and design: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive design was used. Data were collected in 2019 from individual interviews with nine intensive care nurses, who were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Setting: The study was undertaken in two general intensive care units from different university hospitals in Norway where volatile anaesthetics were utilised. Findings: Three categories emerged from the data analysis: experiencing the benefits of volatile anaesthetics; coping with unfamiliarity in handling volatile anaesthetics; and meeting challenges related to volatile anaesthetics in practice. Conclusion: The intensive care nurses had positive experiences related to administering volatile anaesthetics in the intensive care unit and responded positively to the prospect of using it more often. Because volatile anaesthetics were rarely used in their units, the participants felt uncertain regarding its use due to unfamiliarity. Collegial support and guidelines were perceived as pivotal in helping them cope with this uncertainty. The participants also experienced several challenges in using volatile anaesthetics in the intensive care unit, with ambient pollution being regarded as the main challenge.

Automated summary

Intensive care nurses have positive experiences with volatile anaesthetics in the ICU but also face challenges related to unfamiliarity and practical use. It is crucial to have colleagues' support and guidelines to cope with this uncertainty.