Abstract
The use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has dramatically increased over the last decade. This increase is multifaceted with regard to the number of patients receiving NIV and in the increasingly varied disease conditions for which NIV is being used. Successful development of an NIV program depends on many variables, but perhaps most important is a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates experience and education. Many aspects of an NIV program must come together to make it successful for both patients and clinicians. Among these are needs assessment, institutional buy-in, use of proper equipment, staff and patient training, protocols/guidelines, and outcomes. We analyze these issues and identify characteristics that produce a successful NIV program.
- noninvasive ventilation
- outcome measurement
- intensive care unit
- ICU
- intermediate care
- multidisciplinary
- mechanical ventilation
- endotracheal intubation
Footnotes
- Correspondence: John D Davies MA RRT FAARC, Respiratory Care Services, Duke Medical Center, Box 3911 Duke North, Erwin Road, Durham NC 27710. E-mail: davie007{at}mc.duke.edu.
Mr Davies presented a version of this paper at the 42nd Respiratory Care Journal Conference, “Noninvasive Ventilation in Acute Care: Controversies and Emerging Concepts,” held March 7-9, 2008, in Cancún, México.
The authors report no conflicts of interest related to the content of this paper.
- Copyright © 2009 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
