Abstract
Background
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) recommends regular audit of NIV practice (BTS, NIV in acute respiratory failure, Thorax, 2002, 57p192-211) and states inappropriate use of NIV is undesirable.
Aims and objectives
The aim of this study was to establish if inappropriate NIV could be correlated with location of set up. Proving this hypothesis would enable us to target locations to provide additional support to reduce and prevent the inappropriate use of NIV.
Methods
Data were collected prospectively from 255 consecutive patients requiring NIV from May 2009 to April 2011 using an adapted version of the BTS NIV data tool. The establishment of NIV was deemed appropriate or not as per the BTS guidelines.
Results
The impact of appropriate use of NIV on mortality is summarised.
The impact of location on appropriate use of NIV is summarised.
Conclusion
Patients commenced on NIV outside of respiratory speciality areas are more likely to receive inappropriate NIV with subsequent higher mortality rates.This may be due to the lack of expertise in non-respiratory areas. We therefore conclude that NIV should only be initiated in respiratory specialist areas within our hospital.
- © 2012 ERS