The Clinical impact of High Flow Nasal Cannula Utilization in the Emergency Department on the Endotracheal Intubation Rate for Infants and Young Children with Severe Bronchiolitis.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract illness and a common cause of hospitalizations for infants and young children. Although most respond to supportive care, severe forms of the disease can lead to acute respiratory failure with up to 16 % of all infants admitted for bronchiolitis requiring PICU admission and often mechanical ventilation. Intubation and mechanical ventilation carry risks over noninvasive ventilation including but not limited to increased risk of barotrauma, ventilator associated bacterial infections, increased sedation requirements and potential development of subglottic stenosis. High …