| Title: | Audit of Airvo and Non-Invasive Ventilation Usage Outside of Critical Care Areas in Cork University Hospital during Wave 3 of the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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| Author(s): | A. Hallahan A.M. Fitzgerald S. Healy M. O'Grady |
| Institution: | Physiotherapy Department, Cork University Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | COVID 19 |
| Abstract: | An audit completed by the Physiotherapy Department looked at the number of patients using Airvo and/or NIV outside the critical care areas during the months of January to March 2021 which encompassed Wave 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, there were 303 patients using either Airvo or NIV or both during this time. 59% of these patients were COVID-19 positive. The results are outlined in the table below. In terms of machine dependency, the majority of patients on Airvo were on 40-60% FiO2 (50%) and a flowrate of 30-50L/min (73%). Most patients on BiPAP were on settings of IPAP ≤12, FiO2 >40% or IPAP >12, FiO2 >40% (29% each). Most patients on CPAP were on 40-60% FiO2 (58%) and a PEEP of 8-10cmH20 (74%). Airvo and NIV were used throughout the hospital during this time, but this audit illustrated that the wards with the highest numbers of patients on these machines were the COVID-19 designated areas and the emergency department all of which had extra physiotherapy staffing to account for the clinical need. Physiotherapists played an integral role in managing these deteriorating patients at ward level thereby helping to avoid ICU admissions when these beds were in high demand. |
