[Non-invasive ventilation improves comfort in pediatric palliative care patients].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the appropriate use of non-invasive ventilation and its contribution to improving comfort in pediatric palliative care patients.


METHODS
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 55 palliative care patients from San Juan de Dios Hospital in Barcelona. The effectiveness was evaluated using a register of socio-demographic, clinical-ventilatory and oxymetric parameters, the comfort and dyspnea's grade using Silverman Anderson scale, and pain level using pediatric scales.


RESULTS
The effectiveness of the technique was proved by a decreased heart rate (133.53±25.8 vs. 111.04±23.1; p<0.0001), respiratory rate (35.02±12.9 vs. 25.63±5.7; p<0.0001) and an increase of partial oxygen saturation (95.7±2.9 vs. 96.87±7.2; p<0.0001) and partial oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (297.12±113.4 vs. 336.97±100.7; p<0.0001). Dyspnea and pain levels improved in 100% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapy was effective and the comfort improved in 100% of the patients.
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátrica, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: abosch@hsjdbcn.org.
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Bosch-Alcaraz
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063087:Noninvasive Ventilation; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D058996:Quality Improvement
Bienestar; Child care; Child welfare; Cuidado del niño; Cuidados paliativos; Non-invasive ventilation; Palliative care; Pediatric intensive care unit; Pediatrics; Pediatría; Unidades de cuidado intensivo pediátrico; Ventilación no invasiva