Surrey Memorial Hospital Enhances ICU Care with New Screening Method

A team of respiratory therapists at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) has initiated a project aimed at enhancing patient care in the intensive care unit (ICU) through a new screening method, thanks to a grant. The challenge of determining the appropriate time to safely remove a patient from a ventilator is critical, as noted by a release from Fraser Health. Currently, even after patients pass the Spontaneous Breathing Trial, approximately one in five still require reintubation, which can result in complications and extended ICU stays.

To address this issue, the team of four respiratory therapists is implementing an additional level of screening for ventilated patients. This initiative is supported by a Knowledge Translation grant funded by Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Surrey Hospitals Foundation.

Improving Patient Outcomes with P0.1 Monitoring

According to Jaimie Trodden, a clinical resource respiratory therapist at SMH, modern ventilators are equipped with a measurement known as P0.1 monitoring. This feature tracks the patient’s breathing patterns, providing insight into whether they are receiving excessive or inadequate support. Trodden emphasized, “By adding the P0.1 measurements to our routine patient monitoring, we believe we can better assess a patient’s drive to breathe, so that when we decide to take the endotracheal tube out, we’re picking the optimal moment when the patient will be successful.”

This new practice is set to be implemented in the adult ICU, where it is expected to benefit hundreds of patients annually, as well as the healthcare professionals providing their care.

Education and Training to Facilitate Change

To support this transition, Jessica Lu, a regional respiratory therapist educator, stated that the team is offering targeted education, quick-reference tools, and peer coaching. “Our goal is to make P0.1 part of everyday practice,” she added.

Trodden, Lu, and their colleagues, Scott Mattu and Sung Bin Choi, acknowledged the vital role played by the Department of Evaluation and Research Services. Their expertise has equipped the team with the knowledge necessary to implement this significant change in clinical practice.

As Surrey Memorial Hospital embarks on this initiative, the integration of P0.1 monitoring promises to enhance patient outcomes and streamline the process of ventilator weaning in the ICU, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective healthcare delivery system.