05.13.09 - Non-invasive ventilation in emergency medical services – a good alternative -Fulda – Non-invasive ventilation in emergency medicine is gaining ground in Germany. Recent studies have shown that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for certain illnesses is a reasonable and reliable alternative to conventional ventilation. In its emergency and acute-care transport ventilator MEDUMAT Transport, the Hamburg-based firm Weinmann offers up to eight different pre-set ventilation modes and a non-invasive mode which can be activated in all ventilation modes.
In an observational study Dr. Clemens Kill (Marburg) showed that a simple CPAP system for non-invasive ventilation of emergency care patients with severe respiratory insufficiency is a reasonable and reliable alternative to conventional ventilation. He was able to prove that CPAP therapy can be used safely and successfully in pre-hospital situations in rescue vehicles. Observations were made of 142 patients with acute respiratory insufficiency and an average age of 77.2 years while they were being transported in an emergency physician's vehicle and were being treated with standard drugs and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy. Despite an oxygen saturation of only 82% under very conservative therapy, only 10 (7%) of patients had to be intubated and treated with invasive ventilation. The results show that non-invasive ventilation in emergency medical services is a very good alternative to conventional ventilation for certain disorders... [PDF] Weinmann's Press Release -
