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. Patients and method: 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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and SEEIUC. All rights reserved.