RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Incorporating a Nebulizer System Into High-Flow Nasal Cannula Improves Comfort in Infants With Bronchiolitis
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 886
OP 893
DO 10.4187/respcare.05880
VO 63
IS 7
A1 Valencia-Ramos, Juan
A1 Mirás, Alicia
A1 Cilla, Amacia
A1 Ochoa, Carlos
A1 Arnaez, Juan
YR 2018
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/63/7/886.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used to provide respiratory support in infants with bronchiolitis. The delivery of aerosol therapy through a jet nebulizer is widely indicated despite its controversial efficacy and poor tolerability.METHODS: This randomized cross-over study aimed to evaluate the comfort and satisfaction of the delivery of aerosol therapy using a nebulization system integrated into HFNC compared with the standard practice of using a jet nebulizer with a face mask. The COMFORT-Behavior (COMFORT-B) scale, a visual analog scale, and a numeric rating scale were used by health professionals and caregivers to assess subjects' levels of comfort and satisfaction.RESULTS: A total of 113 nebulizations (64 via nebulizer with HFNC; 49 via jet nebulizer) were delivered to the 6 subjects included in the study. Use of the nebulizer with HFNC showed increased comfort and satisfaction during nebulization compared to use of the jet nebulizer, as measured by the COMFORT-B scale, the visual analog scale, and the numeric rating scale, with the following median (interquartile range) scores: 10.7 (7–16) versus 14.5 (10–20) (P = .006), 8.5 (6–10) versus 7 (4–9) (P = .02), and 3.84 (3.61–4.07) versus 1.83 (1.58–2.08) (P < .001), respectively. Correlation between the COMFORT-B scale and the visual analog scale using Spearman's rho was −0.757 (P < .001). The intraclass correlation coefficient for the COMFORT-B scale, visual analog scale, and numeric rating scale, as measured by 2 different nurses, was between 0.75 and 0.87.CONCLUSIONS: The use of a nebulizer incorporated into HFNC therapy results in an increased level of comfort and satisfaction compared to the use of a conventional jet nebulizer in subjects with bronchiolitis who required HFNC therapy. Further studies are needed to determine whether aerosol therapy delivered through HFNC improves the clinical course of this pathology.