Construction of determination criteria of sputum retention in elderly patients with non-artificial airway / 中华护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish criteria for determination of sputum retention in elderly patients with non-ar-tificial airway. Methods Interview and Delphi methods were used to preliminarily determine clinical indication of sputum retentionand its classification through two-round expert consultation among 25 experts. Final criteria for de-termination of sputum retention were determined through experts group discussion. Results During the two rounds of consultation,all the questionnaires were collected,the experts' authority coefficients were 0.936 and 0.926 respec-tively,and the coordination coefficient of expert opinion was statistically significant.Criteria for determination of spu-tum retention included ineffective cough plus auscultation phlegm sound,with or without complaining of sputum,de-creased blood oxygen saturation,difficulty breathing and cyanosis. Conclusion Based on expert consultation and ar-gument,the criteria for determination of sputum retention can facilitate clinical nurses to detect sputum retention.