Noise Level and Comfort in Healthy Subjects Undergoing High-Flow Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Aim
The aim of this study was to assess the noisiness levels produced by different gas source systems, breathing circuits setup, and gas flow rates during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered through helmet.
Methods
This was a crossover design study. Ten healthy subjects received helmet CPAP at 5 cm H2O in random order with different gas flow rates (60 and 80 L/min), 3 diverse gas source systems (A: Venturi system, B: oxygen and air flowmeters, C: electronic Venturi system), and 3 different breathing circuit configurations. During every step of this study, a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) was placed on the helmet inlet gas port to measure the effects on noise production. Noise intensity level was recorded through a sound-level meter. Participants scored their noisiness perception on a visual analog scale.
Results
The noise level inside the helmet ranged between 76 ± 4 and 117 ± 1 Decibel A. The gas source and the gas flow rate always affected the noise level inside and outside the helmet (P

Source: Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing - May 28, 2020 Category: Nursing Tags: Research DIMENSION Source Type: research