Respiratory care
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Ability of ICU Health-Care Professionals to Identify Patient-Ventilator Asynchrony Using Waveform Analysis.
Waveform analysis by visual inspection can be a reliable, noninvasive, and useful tool for detecting patient-ventilator asynchrony. However, it is a skill that requires a properly trained professional. ⋯ HCPs who have specific training in mechanical ventilation increase their ability to identify asynchrony using waveform analysis. Neither experience nor profession proved to be a relevant factor to identify asynchrony correctly using waveform analysis.
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Multidisciplinary tracheostomy teams have been successful in improving operative outcomes; however, limited data exist on their effect on postoperative care. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary tracheostomy service alone and following implementation of a post-tracheostomy care bundle on rates of decannulation and tolerance of oral diet before discharge. ⋯ The addition of a post-tracheostomy care bundle to a multidisciplinary tracheostomy service significantly improved rates of decannulation and tolerance of oral diet.
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The 2005 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines for single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) recommend a weekly biological control test and/or DLCO simulator to detect instrument error drift. Very little has been published regarding the results of such a quality assurance program. Our aim was to analyze the long-term stability of a portable DLCO instrument. ⋯ Measurements of DLCO were stable over the 3-y period without any need for manual recalibration of the instrument. The biological control was as good as the DLCO simulator to evaluate this kind of device in a long-term laboratory quality control program.
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Observational Study
Physical and Functional Impairment During and After Hospitalization in Subjects With Severe COPD Exacerbation.
COPD exacerbations are frequent events that have a negative impact on the lives of patients. The aims of this study were to analyze physical and functional impairment during hospital stay in subjects hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation and to assess the physical and functional impact of hospitalization at a 1-month follow-up in patients with severe COPD. ⋯ Hospitalization due to COPD exacerbation leads to physical and functional impairment in patients; impairment is greater at 1-month follow-up. It would be interesting to conduct physical therapy interventions to prevent the impairment.
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Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) titration may be difficult when dynamic airway obstruction episodes persist, even with high expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). We aimed to determine the usefulness of videolaryngoscopy during NIV for identifying mechanisms and sites of obstruction and for providing a guide for their resolution in difficult-to-titrate subjects. ⋯ The use of videolaryngoscopy during NIV in difficult-to-titrate patients may help to identify the sites and mechanisms of obstruction and in some cases may improve quality of ventilation.