Control of peak inspiratory pressure during manual ventilation. A controlled study
E. Zmora and T. A. Merritt
The accuracy and stability of manual ventilation can contribute to the
quality of ventilation and the prevention of acute and chronic pulmonary
complications in neonates. In this study pediatric house staff and nurses
in the intensive care nursery manually ventilated a teaching mannequin at
predetermined "low" and "high" peak inspiratory pressures. Without using a
pressure manometer, 18% and 13% achieved desired peak inspiratory pressures
of 15 and 30 cm H2O, respectively, vs 72% and 74% when a manometer was used
for a mean of 90 ventilations. Median and maximal group deviations from the
assigned pressures were significantly lower when a pressure gauge was used.
Our results demonstrated that accuracy of manual ventilation can be better
achieved when a manometer is used in conjunction with infant resuscitation
bags.
