Oral Mucosal Pressure Injuries and Endotracheal Tube Dislodgement Among Elderly Trauma Patients

Overview

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of the AnchorFast™ endotracheal tube (ETT) securement device with conventional adhesive tape and gauze fixation in preventing oral mucosal pressure injuries and endotracheal tube dislodgement among mechanically ventilated elderly trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. A total of 90 patients aged 65 years and older requiring oral endotracheal intubation will be randomly allocated to one of the three securement methods. The primary outcomes are the incidence and severity of oral mucosal pressure injuries, assessed using the Beck Oral Assessment Scale (BOAS), and ETT displacement measured using the Endotracheal Tube Slippage Scale. Secondary outcomes include unplanned extubation, ease and time of fixation, need for assistance during application, and time to the development of pressure injury. The findings are expected to provide high-quality evidence to guide the selection of optimal ETT securement methods, improve patient safety, reduce device-related complications, and enhance the quality of critical care nursing practice in elderly trauma patients.

Medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) associated with endotracheal tube (ETT) securement are common complications among mechanically ventilated patients, particularly elderly trauma patients, who are at increased risk due to age-related tissue fragility, impaired tissue perfusion, and prolonged immobilization. In addition to oral mucosal pressure injuries, inadequate ETT fixation may result in tube displacement and unplanned extubation, leading to serious complications such as airway obstruction, hypoxemia, aspiration, reintubation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and increased healthcare costs. Although several methods are available for securing ETTs, including adhesive tape, gauze, and commercial fixation devices, evidence regarding the optimal securement technique remains limited. This prospective, three-arm, randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of the AnchorFast™ endotracheal tube securement device with conventional adhesive tape and gauze fixation in preventing oral mucosal pressure injuries and reducing ETT dislodgement among mechanically ventilated elderly trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Ninety eligible patients aged 65 years or older requiring oral endotracheal intubation and expected to receive mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of the three securement methods. Standardized airway management, oral care, and routine repositioning protocols will be implemented for all participants throughout the study period. The primary outcomes are the incidence and severity of oral mucosal pressure injuries, assessed using the Beck Oral Assessment Scale (BOAS), and endotracheal tube displacement measured using the Endotracheal Tube Slippage Scale. Secondary outcomes include unplanned extubation, fixation time, ease of device application, need for assistance during fixation, number of re-fixations, time to first pressure injury, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ICU length of stay. The study is expected to generate high-quality evidence regarding the safest and most effective ETT securement strategy for elderly trauma patients and support the development of evidence-based protocols aimed at reducing device-related complications, improving