Effect of Ward-Based High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) Oxygen Therapy on Critical Care Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hospitals expanded critical care capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic by treating COVID-19 patients with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) in non-traditional settings, including general internal medicine (GIM) wards. The impact of this practice on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity is unknown.

Objective

To describe how our hospital operationalized the use of HFNC on GIM wards, assess its impact on ICU capacity, and examine the characteristics and outcomes of treated patients.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of all patients treated with HFNC on GIM wards at a Canadian tertiary care hospital.

Participants

All patients admitted with COVID-19 and treated with HFNC on GIM wards from December 28, 2020, to June 13, 2021, were included.

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SUBMITTER: Silverstein WK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9854405 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature