Centre for Financial Innovation

Focus group study on mechanical in- exsufflation in invasively ventilated intensive care patients

Abstract

Introduction: Few data described practicalities of using mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) for invasively ventilated ICU patients and evidence for benefit of their use is lacking.<br/>Aim and objective: To identify barriers and facilitators to use MI-E devices in invasively ventilated ICU patients, and to explore reasons for their use in various patient indications.<br/>Methods: Four focus group discussions; 3 national (Netherlands) and 1 with international representation, each with a purposeful interprofessional sample of a maximum 10 participants with experience in using MI-E in invasively ventilated ICU patients. We developed a semi-structured interview guide informed by the Theoretical Domain Framework. An observer was present in each session. Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using content analysis.<br/>Results: Barriers for MI-E use were lack of evidence and lack of expertise in MI-E, as well as lack of device availability within the ICU. Facilitators were experience with MI-E and perceived clinical improvement in patients with MI-E use. Common reasons to start using MI-E were difficult weaning, recurrent atelectasis and pneumonia. Main contraindications were, bullous emphysema, ARDS, high PEEP, hemodynamic instability, recent pneumothorax. There was substantial variability on used technical settings of MI-E in invasively ventilated patients.<br/>Conclusions: Key barriers and facilitators to MI-E were lack of evidence, available expertise and perceived clinical improvement. Variability on technical settings likely reflect lack of evidence. Future studies should focus on settings, safety and feasibility of MI-E in invasively ventilated patients before studies on effect can be conducted.<br/>

Reference Stilma, W. (2020). Focus group study on mechanical in- exsufflation in invasively ventilated intensive care patients. ERJ Open Research, 6(suppl. 4), 22. https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/suppl_4/22
Published by  Urban Vitality 13 February 2020

Publication date

Feb 2020

Author(s)


Publications:

Research database