To explore the application effect of competency-based video training on airway clearance techniques in the training of RICU nurses and to analyze its impact on RICU nurses' skill compliance rate and patients' sputum retention rate.

Data from 23 RICU nurses and 124 patients admitted to the RICU were collected between August 2021 and September 2024. Starting in March 2023, our hospital's RICU implemented competency-based video training on airway clearance techniques. A total of 62 patients admitted between August 2021 and February 2023 were assigned as the control group, including 37 males and 25 females, with an age range of 34-67 years (mean age: 50.23±15.54 years). Patients admitted between March 2023 and September 2024 were assigned to the observation group, including 36 males and 26 females, with an age range of 33-67 years (mean age: 49.86±15.14 years). The nurses' operational skill compliance rates and procedural standardization scores were compared before and after the video training, as well as the mechanical ventilation duration, hospitalization duration, sputum retention rate, complication incidence rate, and satisfaction with nursing care among patients between the two groups.

After implementing competency-based video training on airway clearance techniques, RICU nurses demonstrated higher operational skill compliance rates and improved scores in complication prevention measures and emergency response capabilities compared to pre-training levels. Patients in the observation group exhibited significantly shorter mechanical ventilation duration and hospitalization duration compared to the control group, along with lower sputum retention rates and total complication incidence rates, as well as higher satisfaction with nursing care (P<0.05).

Competency-based video training on airway clearance techniques significantly improves the operational skill compliance rate of RICU nurses, shortens mechanical ventilation duration and hospitalization duration in patients, reduces sputum retention rate and complication incidence rate, and achieves higher patient satisfaction with nursing care, demonstrating favorable clinical applicability.