Article Text
Abstract
Aim: To describe the current use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments.
Methods: A structured questionnaire was sent to all UK emergency departments assessing 25,000 new patients annually.
Results: 222 of 233 departments completed the questionnaire. 148 currently use non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Most used NIV for either cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (n = 128) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 115). Only 49 departments have protocols for NIV use and 23 audited practice.
Conclusion: NIV is commonly used in UK emergency departments. Practices vary significantly. One solution would be the development of guidelines on when and how to use NIV in emergency medicine practice.
- BiPAP, bilevel positive airway pressure
- COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure
- NIPPV, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
- NIV, non-invasive ventilation
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Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
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