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IMPORTANT: Starting from Wednesday, May 22, 2024, all manuscripts accepted for publication in 2025 must also be published in an English version. This translation must be managed and funded by the authors, as the journal will no longer cover these costs.

The Revista Chilena de Fonoaudiología accepts manuscripts on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year. The journal operates under a "continuous publication" model.

Management of the cuff pressure in patients with an artificial airway by health professionals in Chile

Authors

Abstract

There are different international recommendations on the cuff pressure range for the management of adult patients with an artificial airway. Some Chilean health institutions have developed their own airway management protocols based on these recommendations due to the lack of a national guide. A literature review was undertaken at the University of Southampton, U.K., to determine the appropriate cuff pressure range. Results found that this is between 20-30 cmH2O. Afterwards, a valid and reliable online questionnaire was developed in Spanish at the University of Southampton for application in Chile. The aim of this study is to analyse the cuff pressure management of adult patients with an artificial airway performed by non-medical health professionals in Chile. An analytical, observational and cross-sectional study was performed. A database which contained the responses of nurses, physiotherapists and speech therapists with experience attending adult patients with an artificial airway in Chile was analysed. Results show that 58% of the participants used exclusively the objective technique whilst 7% only used subjective techniques. The minimum and maximum pressures used were 25 and 34 cmH2O respectively, which were higher than the recommended range. 38% of the participants declared that there was an existing protocol at their workplace. There was a significant difference between the maximum pressures used by the clinicians and the pressures recommended on the protocols (p = .029). In conclusion, the participants showed a poor manage of the cuff pressure which could create risks linked with over-inflated or under-inflated cuffs. It is suggested to develop a national guide.

Keywords:

Airway management, Tracheostomy, Intubation, Surveys and questionnaires, Chile

Author Biography

Felipe Gonzalo Rosales Lillo, Hospital San Juan de Dios

Fonoaudiólogo UPC Adultos

Coordinador Unidad de Fonoaudiología

Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación

Hospital San Juan de Dios

 

Fonoaudiólogo Universidad de Talca

Diplomado en Habilitación vocal 

Diplomado en Gestión en Instituciones de Salud

Máster en Dirección Estratégica de Organizaciones de Salud