How does the position of the patient and different airway suctioning techniques affect the breathing of patients who are receiving artificial ventilation?

Determination of the effect of patient positioning and suctioning on regional lung ventilation using electrical impedance tomography in mechanically ventilated patients.
 


Funding year: 2009



Amount funded: $ 27,903



Lead researcher:
RN Amanda Corley, The Prince Charles Hospital



Research team:
Dr John Fraser, Director Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital
Mr Justin Jacobs, Physiotherapist, The Prince Charles Hospital
Mr Lawrence Caruana, Physiotherapist, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, The Prince Charles Hospital
RN Vainess Mbuzi, Clinical Nurse, Critical Care Research Group and General Intensive Care Unit, The Prince Charles Hospital



Location of research:
The Prince Charles Hospital, 627 Rode Road, Chermside, Queensland



Project description:
C After cardiac surgery, patients are assisted to breathe by the use of mechanical ventilation. While necessary, mechanical ventilation can lead to a variety of problems due to such factors as the patient’s inability to clear secretions, ventilator associated infections and the patient’s immobility. Prolonged mechanical ventilation times equate to longer hospital stays.

During mechanical ventilation, patients are nursed in positions that are thought to assist with breathing and expansion of the lungs. Similarly, airway secretions are removed with the use of suction applied into the breathing tube which is also thought to assist with the patient’s breathing.

This study will investigate the effect that patient positioning and airway suctioning have on air distribution in the lungs by using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). This technique allows measurements of air distribution within the lungs in a non invasive way. By optimising patient positioning and suctioning techniques, we hope to reduce lung complications and ventilation times for our patients, thereby improving their health outcomes.