Lay summary
This research proposal is a planned programme of research into the use, attitudes and planned avoidance of endotracheal suction (ETS) in the Intensive Care Unit. The programme comprises of: 1) An investigation into nurses' use of ETS in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), Auckland City Hospital; 2) A multicentre, binational survey of current practice of ETS across New Zealand and Australia in the ICU setting; 3) A systematic review of endotracheal suction practice, with an emphasis on those patients who are ventilated for