Abstract
The Role of Intermediate Respiratory Care Units in Preventing ICU Collapse during the COVID Pandemic
Highlights
There is limited information describing features and outcomes of patients requiring Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit (IRCU) hospitalization for COVID19 disease and as of yet, no mechanical or medical treatments have clearly demonstrated efficacy in IRCU
In relation to respiratory support, high-flow oxygen therapy and weaning procedures were associated with survival as were Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and non-invasive ventilation with low levels of support among the most severely affected
The IRCU prevented the collapse of the ICU, allowed for recovered ICU patients to be quickly released from their unit, freeing up critical care beds and permitting them to function more effectively and in terms of Citation: Frades SH, de Miguel MPC, Prieto AN, Ormaechea IF, de Blas FE, et al (2020) The Role of Intermediate Respiratory Care Units in Preventing ICU Collapse during the COVID Pandemic
Summary
There is limited information describing features and outcomes of patients requiring Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit (IRCU) hospitalization for COVID19 disease and as of yet, no mechanical or medical treatments have clearly demonstrated efficacy in IRCU. Four lines of respiratory therapies were applied: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Non Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (NIMV) and High Flow Oxygen (HFO) in the acute phase and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV) during weaning. Strict control of oxygen partial pressure was necessary to avoid hyperoxia [2] and to timely identify the existence of refractory shunts that would not respond to oxygen therapy [3]. New procedures were acquired from the ICU to help solve such extreme hypoxia, such as the prone position [4] combined with HFO therapy or NIMV. Lower pressurization rates and pressure supports were used to avoid over ventilation and volutrauma [5] injury (VILI)
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