Evaluating Delivery of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation in Six ICUs Using Electronic Health Record Data

journals.lww.com August 31, 2019

Despite low mean tidal volume in the cohort, a significant percentage of patients were exposed to a prolonged duration of high tidal volumes which was correlated with higher mortality.

Detailed ventilator records in the electronic health record provide a unique window for evaluating low tidal volume delivery and targets for improvement.

Tidal volumes were analyzed across 1,905 hospitalizations. Although mean tidal volume was 6.8 mL/kg predicted body weight, 40% of patients were exposed to tidal volumes greater than 8 mL/kg predicted body weight, with 11% for more than 24 hours. Adult patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation more than 12 hours.