Factors leading to self-extubation of endotracheal tubes in the intensive care unit

Aim and objective: To discuss the factors leading to self‐extubation of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and explore the differences between the groups of patients who did and did not self‐remove their ETTs. Background: Self‐extubation of ETTs has been reported to occur in 4·2% of severely ill patients and is associated with adverse medical effects. Design: A case‐control study. Methods: One hundred and thirty‐nine subjects were recruited from a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan based on purposive sampling. The rate of self‐extubation of ETTs was 6·4%. Analysis of the two groups demonstrated that significant variables were identified and fell into three categories: (1) the department to which the patient was admitted (p