Context: Tube blockage is a common airway accident in intensive care unit (ICU) and can even be fatal. Nursing staff are the first line care giver in ICU. Aims: The present study was designed to assess the knowledge of tube blockage and ascertain nursing professionals’ knowledge of life-saving management strategies in such patients. Settings and Design: After approval from the institute, this crosssectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in December 2014. Methods and Material: A questionnaire was handed over to the staff nurses for data collection and scoring was done. The staff was divided into two groups based on their ICU experience duration. Knowledge score was expressed in percentage and percentile scale. Statistical Analysis used: Unpaired t test was used for measuring central tendencies, dispersion and comparisons. Fisher’s exact was used for comparison and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 17 staff members (77.27%) finished and submitted the questionnaire. The mean + standard deviation (SD) percentile score of knowledge was 50.0 + 28.42. 10 (58.82%) staff were having ICU experience of more than 2 years at the time of assessment. 52.94% of the responders had poor knowledge. The mean percentile knowledge score of the experienced group was significantly higher than the relatively inexperienced group (63.53 + 26.93 versus 30.67 + 17.96; p 0.013). Conclusions: Knowledge related to tube blockage and management is relatively lower in ICU staff. Targeted education and training should be given to the newly recruited and rotational staff to ensure patient safety.

Keywords: Tracheostomy/Endotracheal Tube; Tube Blockage; Tube Blockage/ Management; Intensive Care Unit.