Implementation of an evidence-based extubation readiness bundle in 499 brain-injured patients. a before-after evaluation of a quality improvement project.
BACKGROUND
Mechanical ventilation is associated with morbidity in patients with brain injury.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an extubation readiness bundle to decrease ventilator time in patients with brain injury.


METHODS
Before-after design in two intensive care units (ICUs) in one university hospital. Brain-injured patients ventilated more than 24 hours were evaluated during two phases (a 3-yr control phase followed by a 22-mo intervention phase). Bundle components were protective ventilation, early enteral nutrition, standardization of antibiotherapy for hospital-acquired pneumonia, and systematic approach to extubation. The primary endpoint was the duration of mechanical ventilation.


RESULTS
A total of 299 and 200 patients, respectively, were analyzed in the control and the intervention phases of this before-after study. The intervention phase was associated with lower tidal volume (P < 0.01), higher positive end-expiratory pressure (P < 0.01), and higher enteral intake in the first 7 days (P = 0.01). The duration of mechanical ventilation was 14.9 ± 11.7 days in the control phase and 12.6 ± 10.3 days in the intervention phase (P = 0.02). The hazard ratio for extubation was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.57; P = 0.02) in the intervention phase. Adjusted hazard ratio was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.12-1.76; P < 0.01) in multivariate analysis and 1.34 (95% CI, 1.03-1.74; P = 0.02) in propensity score-adjusted analysis. ICU-free days at Day 90 increased from 50 ± 33 in the control phase to 57 ± 29 in the intervention phase (P < 0.01). Mortality at Day 90 was 28.4% in the control phase and 23.5% in the intervention phase (P = 0.22).


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of an evidence-based extubation readiness bundle was associated with a reduction in the duration of ventilation in patients with brain injury.
1 Intensive Care Unit, Anesthesia and Critical Care Department, Hôtel Dieu-HME, University Hospital of Nantes, Nantes, France.
Antoine
A
Roquilly
Raphaël
R
Cinotti
Samir
S
Jaber
Mickael
M
Vourc'h
Florence
F
Pengam
Pierre Joachim
PJ
Mahe
Karim
K
Lakhal
Dominique
D
Demeure Dit Latte
Nelly
N
Rondeau
Olivier
O
Loutrel
Jérôme
J
Paulus
Bertrand
B
Rozec
Yvonnick
Y
Blanloeil
Marie-Anne
MA
Vibet
Véronique
V
Sebille
Fanny
F
Feuillet
Karim
K
Asehnoune
D060666:Airway Extubation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods