title: Practices of use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in neonatology in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in level three neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in northeastern Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2009 to January 2010 in all level three NICUs in northeastern Brazil that are registered in the Brazilian Registry of Health Establishments (Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde, CNES) of the Ministry of Health. Questionnaires about the use of NIPPV were sent to the NICU directors in each institution. Statistical analysis was conducted using the software Epi-Info 6.04 and double data entry. A chi-square test was used to compare variables, and the level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study identified 93 level three NICUs in northeastern Brazil registered in CNES, and 87% answered the study questionnaire. Most classified themselves as private institutions (30.7%); 98.7% used NIPPV; 92.8% adapted mechanical ventilators for NIPPV and used short binasal prongs as the interface (94.2%). Only 17.3% of the units had a protocol for the use of NIPPV. Mean positive inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure were 20.0 cmH2O (standard deviation [SD]: 4.47) and 5.0 cmH2O (SD: 0.84).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NICUs in northeastern Brazil use nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation, but indications and ventilation settings are not the same in the different institutions.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ensinos Superiores de Maceió, Maceió, AL, Brazil. sarakarla400@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Sara Karla F de
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Werther Brunow
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Cláudio F R
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Soriano
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009359:Neonatology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*