PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore factors that hinder the effective management of tracheal intubation and tracheal extubation by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancies (OMMs) following surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used in this qualitative study. Data were collected using semi-structured, face to face, in-depth interviews with 12 experienced HCPs in three clinical units at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China, from February to May 2024. Purposive sampling was used. The data were organized and analyzed using NVivo 12.0 software and Braun and Clarke's reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve HCPs had a mean age of 39.92 years (SD 6.76)
n = 7 (58.33%) were nurses. Two themes and seven sub-themes emerged: (1) institutional factors: lack of a risk assessment system for airway obstruction, lack of a tracheal intubation emergency team, inconsistent preparations for delayed extubation, and inadequate reintubation training for airway obstruction, and (2) individual factors: normativity of airway humidification, knowledge of the risk of airway obstruction, and attitude related to learning about airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: The inadequate management of tracheal intubation and tracheal extubation by HCPs in OMMs patient after surgery is influenced by multiple factors. Designing targeted interventions utilizing these influencing factors will improve the ability of HCPs to manage tracheal intubation and tracheal extubation and ensure the life safety and effective treatment of OMMs patients following surgery.