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Background Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a necessary life-saving measure for critically ill patients. Ventilator-associated events (VAEs) are potentially avoidable complications associated with MV that can double the rate of death. Oral care and oropharyngeal suctioning, although neglected procedures, play a vital role in the prevention of VAE. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the intensive care units to compare the effect of fourth hourly oropharyngeal suctioning with the standard oral care protocol on VAE among patients on MV. One hundred twenty mechanically ventilated patients who were freshly intubated and expected to be on ventilator support for the next 72 hours were randomly allocated to the control or intervention groups. The intervention was fourth hourly oropharyngeal suctioning along with the standard oral care procedure. The control group received standard oral care (i.e., thrice a day) and on-demand oral suctioning. On the 3rd and 7th days following the intervention, endotracheal aspirates were sent to rule out ventilator-associated pneumonia. Results Both groups were homogenous at baseline with respect to their clinical characteristics. The intervention group had fewer VAEs (56.7%) than the control group (78.3%) which was significant at P

BACKGROUND: Imposed immobilization after electrophysiological studies (EPS) is known to cause different complications. The current study aims to assess the effect of early ambulation on comfort and vascular complications among patients undergoing transfemoral catheterization for EPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred participants were assigned to control and intervention groups (50 each) using block randomization. The control group participants were ambulated at 6 hours after EPS. For the intervention group, participants were kept in the supine position with procedure-side leg extension for the first 2 hours, followed by 30° head-end elevation and turning to the left/right side for 30 min, and finally ambulation at the end of 3 hours. Both groups were assessed for vital signs, groin and back pain, satisfaction, bleeding, hematoma, and bladder pattern at the 6th and 24th hour after EPS. Data analysis was done on an intention-to-treat basis using the Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent student t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: The level of back pain and groin pain was significantly lower in intervention group after 6 hours (P < 0.001) and after 24 hours (P < 0.05). Urinary problem was not reported in intervention group, whereas Eleven (22%), participants in the control group did not void at 6 hours (P < 0.001). Two patients in intervention group developed bleeding at 6 hours, and one patient in control group developed bleeding at 24 hours. Hematoma development was absent for both groups. CONCLUSION: Early ambulation at 3 hours after EPS is suggested to reduce back pain, groin pain, and urinary problem, without risk for vascular complications.