Resp Care
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Comparative Study
A comparison of the CPAP performance characteristics of the Puritan-Bennett 7200a and a prototype continuous pressure-regulating ventilator.
A prototype demand-flow medical ventilator for intensive care unit (ICU) applications has been developed with the ability to maintain continuous pressure regulation of proximal airway pressure during both inspiratory and expiratory respiratory phases. The performance of this system was investigated in laboratory tests of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode, a ventilatory mode in which airway pressure regulation is strongly challenged. ⋯ An ICU ventilator utilizing continuous regulation of proximal airway pressure has been shown to provide statistically significant improvements in CPAP performance relative to the PB7200a in laboratory tests. Further testing will be required to quantify the clinical significance of these results.
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The management staff of the Respiratory Care Department at the suggestion of the Department of Anesthesiology determined that there was a need for respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) to be trained to perform endotracheal intubation. This need was demonstrated by the frequency with which anesthesia personnel were called away from the operating room (OR) to perform endotracheal intubations in other hospital areas. ⋯ This training program has successfully provided support for endotracheal intubation procedures, sparing the anesthesiology staff and expanding the role of RCPs in our hospital.