Can we identify patients at high risk for unplanned extubation? A large-scale multidisciplinary survey.

Background: Unplanned extubation represents a threat to patient safety, and risk factors and prevention strategies for unplanned extubation have not been fully explored.

Objectives: To define high-risk patients for unplanned extubation and determine clinicians' beliefs on perceived risks for unplanned extubation

Methods: With a Web-based survey instrument we surveyed critical care clinician members of the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Results: Surveys were completed by 1,976 clinicians, including 419 respiratory therapists, 870 critical care nurses, and 605 critical care physicians.