Implementing a Sizing Chart for Nasal Cannula Placement to Decrease Associated Pressure Ulcers in Infants

Authors

William F. Bucher, BS, RRT-NPS, Pulmonary Care, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

10-16-2016

Comments

Poster presented at AARC Congress in San Antonio TX.

Abstract

Background

The Joint Commission definition of a “Pressure Ulcer” is a broader term that includes decubitus ulcers but also includes any ulcerations associated with pressure. Over a three-month period in 2015 the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) at Thomas Jefferson University had five patients who developed pressure ulcers due to placement of an improper size nasal cannula being used for that patient. Infant nasal cannulas are typically classified as being for micro premature, premature, neonate, infant and intermediate infant size patients. There is no instruction by manufactures for fitting a cannula to the actual size of the patient in kilograms. Cannulas also were not of a universal size for various manufactures.

Recommended Citation

Bucher, BS, RRT-NPS, William F., "Implementing a Sizing Chart for Nasal Cannula Placement to Decrease Associated Pressure Ulcers in Infants" (2016). Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds. Presentation 125.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/pulmcritcaregrandrounds/125