The relationship between pain score and its effective indices in neonatal endotracheal open suction under ventilator

 Aims and background:  Although suctioning is an important nursing intervention in neonates under mechanical ventilation, it can lead to complications such as pain, respiratory distress, hypoxemia, bronchospasm and hospital infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pain score and its effective indices in neonatal endotracheal open suction under ventilator in the neonatal intensive care unit of Hamadan hospitals. Materials and methods: This descriptive correlational study has been performed in 120 preterm infants under mechanical ventilation in Neonatal intensive care unit of Hamadan hospitals. First,, the respiratory rate and oxygen saturation of the neonatal arterial blood were recorded 5 minutes before the patient suction by the researcher in three shifts based on the findings of the direct monitoring of the infant. During and 5 minutes after suction, the respiratory rate and oxygen saturation index was re-recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive and regression tests. Findings: According to the results of the adapted model, linear regression between the number of respiration and arterial oxygen saturation during the suction with the pain score was not statistically significant, but there was a significant correlation between the Apgar score of the birth time and the pain score (P =0/000). Conclusion:  Endotracheal open suction in premature infants could greatly affect the number of respiration and oxygen saturation in arterial blood gas and increase the pain score in these infants.