Etiology of noninvasive ventilation in a tertiary teaching facility

PURPOSE: Patients requiring noninvasive ventilation (NIV) consume an increasing proportion of human and financial resources. Despite increasing focus this phenomenon has continued to escalate nationally. While pulmonary patients are commonly thought to account for the greatest proportion of those requiring NIV this question has not been fully studied. METHODS: Retrospective review of respiratory therapy quality assurance data for the period January to June 2010. Disease specific and demographic data were abstracted and categorized. RESULTS: 565 adult patients received noninvasive ventilation support. The monthly patient distribution was as follows: January 65, February 83, March 101, April 89, May 120, June 110. 52% of patients were female and 48% male. While COPD accounted for a significant number of cases, acute respiratory failure was the most frequent diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were: acute respiratory failure, 184 patients; obstructive sleep apnea, 179 patients; congestive heart failure, 137 patients; COPD, 111 patients. The average age of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation was 60. CONCLUSIONS: Older adult patients account for the majority of noninvasively ventilated patients. The average age of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation was 60. Acute respiratory failure was the most common indication. There is now evidence documenting the distribution of NIV support in a tertiary teaching facility in Long Island, New York. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: With NIV technical advances and expanding clinical evidence on its proper application, the use will likely further expand