A cross-national examination of weaning assessments: Comparing respiratory therapists’ perceptions in Saudi Arabia and the United States
Rahaf Katib, Robert Murray, Kyle Brandenberger, Douglas S. GardenhireBackground
Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a fundamental objective in intensive care, as successful weaning reduces morbidity and mortality and reduces intensive care unit resource utilization. Multiple physiological and clinical assessments guide the weaning process; however, practice patterns and therapists’ perceptions may vary across healthcare systems. Understanding these differences can inform clinical training and standardization efforts across respiratory care practice.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was administered to respiratory therapists in Saudi Arabia and the United States. The questionnaire included demographic items and Likert-scale questions assessing perceived frequency of use and prioritization of weaning assessments, as well as the influence of patient-specific clinical factors on ventilator weaning decisions. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney
Results
A total of 99 respiratory therapists completed the survey (Saudi Arabia: n = 63; United States: n = 36). Among patient-specific factors, age and neuromuscular blockade differed significantly between countries, with Saudi respiratory therapists reporting greater perceived influence than U.S. respiratory therapists (
Conclusions
Few differences were identified between countries, suggesting consistent clinical perceptions regarding ventilator weaning assessments and practices among respiratory therapists in both countries. These findings support a shared evidence-based foundation across both settings and may inform benchmarking efforts and educational strategies in respiratory therapy.