Aim To conduct a review summarizing evidence concerning communication with mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Background ICU patients undergoing mechanical ventilation are unable to communicate verbally, causing many negative emotions. Due to changes in sedation practice, a growing number of patients are conscious and experience communication difficulties. Design The umbrella review method guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute was applied. Data Sources A systematic search was done in the Cochrane Library, the Joanna Briggs Institute database, Cinahl, Pubmed, PsycINFO and Scopus between January ‐April 2019. Search terms were ‘nurse‐patient communication’, ‘mechanical ventilation’, ‘intensive care’, and ‘reviews as publication type’. Literature from 2009–2019 was included. Review Methods Following recommendations by the Joanna Briggs Institute, a quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis were done. Results Seven research syntheses were included. There were two main themes and six subthemes: (1) Characterization of the nurse–patient communication: (a) Patients' communication; (b) Nurses' communication; (2) Nursing interventions that facilitate communication: (a) Communication assessment and documentation; (b) Communication methods and approaches; (c) Education and training of nurses; and (d) Augmentative and alternative communication. Conclusion Nurse–patient communication was characterized by an unequal power relationship with a common experience – frustration. Four key interventions were identified and an integration of these may be key to designing and implementing future ICU communication packages. Impact Nurse–patient communication is characterized by an unequal power relationship with one joint experience – frustration. Four key interventions should be integrated when designing and implementing communication packages in the ICU. Findings are transferable to ICU practices where patients are conscious and experience communication difficulties. 摘要 目标 有关于与重症监护室(ICU)机械通气患者的沟通进行回顾性总结取证。 背景资料 重症监护室(ICU)内进行机械通气的患者无法进行言语交流,导致其产生诸多的负面情绪。由于镇静方法的改变,越来越多的患者意识清醒,并出现沟通困难。 设计 采用澳大利亚JBI循证护理中心指导的伞式回顾方法。 数据来源 对考克兰图书馆、澳大利亚JBI循证护理中心数据库、护理学数据库(CINAHL)、国际文献数据库(PubMed)、心理学文摘(PsycINFO)和Scopus电子数据库2019年1月至4月的内容进行系统性搜索。搜索词为“护患沟通”、“机械通气”、“重症监护”和“出版类回顾 ”。包括了2009年至2019年的文献。 评审方法 根据澳大利亚JBI循证护理中心的建议,进行了质量评估、数据提取和合成。 结果 包含了七篇研究合成。有两大主题和六个子主题:(1) 护患沟通的特点:(a) 患者的沟通;(b)护士的沟通;(2)促进沟通的护理干预措施:(a) 沟通评估和记录;(b)沟通方式和方法;(c)护士的教育和培训;以及(d)补充和替代沟通。 结论 护患沟通的特点是不平等的权力关系和共同的挫折体验。确定了四大关键干预措施,这些措施的整合可能是设计和实施未来重症监护室沟通方案的关键。 影响 护患沟通的特点是不平等的权力关系和共同的挫折体验。在设计和实施重症监护室的沟通方案时,应整合四大关键干预措施。研究发现可应用于重症监护室内患者意识清醒且沟通困难的实践。