Respiratory care
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Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure performed by respiratory therapists (RTs). The purpose of this study was to describe current RT intubation practices in North Carolina through the use of a survey instrument. ⋯ RTs in North Carolina frequently performed intubation and had high confidence in their programs. Further studies are needed to establish standardized training for endotracheal intubation, document success rates for intubations, and evaluate the use of video laryngoscopy by RTs.
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Secondary traumatic stress (STS) may occur in the caretakers of individuals who have experienced traumatic events or are suffering and, when severe, may be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at a diagnostic level due to STS. For respiratory therapists (RTs), the incidence of STS and PTSD at a diagnostic level due to STS has not been examined. We assessed the prevalence of self-reported STS and PTSD at a diagnostic level due to STS in licensed RTs. ⋯ No difference in PTSD at a diagnostic level due to STS was noted between RTs caring for neonatal/pediatric versus adult patients or between RTs based on years of work experience or based on work environment. STS and PTSD at a diagnostic level due to STS was common in RTs.
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Clinical observations on the potential of pre-hospital antiplatelet therapy in preventing ARDS have been inconsistent. To further the correlation between antiplatelet therapy and ARDS, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of pre-hospital antiplatelet therapy on subjects with ARDS. ⋯ These findings indicated that pre-hospital antiplatelet therapy was associated with a reduced rate of ARDS but had no effect on the mortality in the subjects at high risk.