Respiratory care
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mechanical ventilation in ARDS with an automatic resuscitator.
The Oxylator is an automatic resuscitator, powered only by an oxygen cylinder with no electricity required, that could be used in acute respiratory failure in situations in which standard mechanical ventilation is not available or feasible. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of mechanical ventilation by using this automatic resuscitator in an animal model of ARDS. ⋯ Short-term mechanical ventilation by using an automatic resuscitator and a fixed pressure setting in an ARDS animal model was feasible and safe.
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Burnout is a major problem in health care and is associated with adverse sequelae for patients, health care workers, and organizations. Burnout among respiratory therapists (RTs) is as high as 79% and is associated with poor or ineffective leadership, inadequate staffing, high work load, non-leadership position, and work environment. An understanding of burnout is necessary for both staff and leadership to ensure RT well-being. This narrative review will discuss the psychology of burnout, prevalence, drivers, mitigation strategies, and future directions for research.
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The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of 2 protocols for automatic lung recruitment maneuvers (LRMs) using stepwise increases in PEEP in a neonatal ARDS model. These protocols were designed with lower maximum opening pressures than traditional methods and differ each one in the duration of the opening phases (short vs prolonged). We described hemodynamic changes through invasive monitoring, and we analyzed if the behavior of the variables depends on the duration of the opening phase of the LRM. ⋯ Our LRM protocols exceeded critical opening pressures to reverse alveolar collapse in our neonatal ARDS model. This range of pressures might involve less hemodynamic disturbance. Duration of the maximum opening pressure step is a determining factor for hemodynamic alterations.
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There is developing evidence with regard to the feasibility, utility, and safety of verbal communication interventions with patients with tracheostomy who are invasively ventilated. In the past 2 decades, research efforts have focused on establishing evidence for communication interventions, including introducing an intentional leak into the ventilatory circuit such as with a fenestrated tube, leak speech or ventilator-adjusted leak speech, the use of a one-way valve in-line with the ventilator, and above cuff vocalization. ⋯ A multidisciplinary team approach enables holistic management across acuity, ventilation, airway, communication, and swallowing parameters. This collaborative approach is recommended to maximize the chance of successful opportunities for patients to communicate safely and effectively.
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An accurate SpO2 value is critical in order to optimally titrate oxygen delivery to patients and to follow oxygenation guidelines. Limited prospective data exist on real-world performance of pulse oximeters in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to assess accuracy and bias of the SpO2 values measured by several oximeters in hospitalized subjects. ⋯ We found significant bias and moderate accuracy between the tested oximeters and the arterial blood gases in the studied population. These discrepancies may have important clinical impact on the detection of hypoxemia and management of oxygen therapy.