Abstract
Background: Hypocarbia is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in ventilated preterm infants. Most neonatal blood gas (BG) sampling is performed by pediatric trainees. We have previously shown that the monthly incidence of hypocarbia is affected by trainee experience.
Aims: To compare the incidence of significant hypocarbia in infants < 1500g, or < 32 weeks gestation, and < 8 days old before (Audit 1, 2004-6) and after (Audit 2, 2008-9) equipment and training changes.
Method: BG results were retrieved from the electronic patient data management system for all eligible patients. Audit 1 was performed with ventilators (SLE 2000) without tidal volume information. In January 2008, new ventilators (Engstrom Carestation) providing continuous tidal volume information were introduced supported by a regular targeted ventilation training package. The percentage of BG with hypocarbia (< 4kPa) was calculated. Monthly percentages were calculated for new trainees (months 1-2) and the rest of the training period (months 3-6).
Results:
Conclusion: Tidal volume information and targeted neonatal ventilation training is associated with a reduction in the incidence of hypocarbia suggesting this risk factor for adverse outcome is amenable to intervention
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Misra, S., Morgan, C., Ganesan, K. et al. 512 Effect of Tidal Volume Information and Targeted Ventilator Training on the Incidence of Hypocarbia in the Early Neonatal Period. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 262 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00512
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00512